The KTM prototype was revealed in front of the crowds at the Austrian MotoGP round and is an engineering world premiere.
The new GP machine uses a KTM V4 90° engine it's the first bike with steel trellis frame in this class. Claimed to produce a peak power of 270 HP, the machine is ready to be used in the final round at Valencia.
KTM pulled a lap of honour with the two new RC16 in front of the crowds at the Austrian GP. Few minutes before the MotoGP race the new KTM bikes went on the track for a quick glimpse.
Steel tube frame
The power unit is entirely developed by KTM and by looking at the specs we realise it can handle the competition’s top bikes. This prototype is as extravagant as it gets – just a bit wider than a Moto3 bike. It's almost like Honda’s RCV but with a frame build out of steel tube. Now that’s a combination to die for. But this is not Moto 3. The company has a lot of experience in building steel tubing frames. Maybe this will be the strong point of the KTM prototype. And it definitely won’t get a pair of winglets according to Dorna Sports new regulations.
From promises to MotoGP
The company CEO, Stefan Pierer announced a few years ago that if KTM is going to become the best-selling motorcycle brand in Europe, they will join this kind of competitions too. Now they hold over 50% of the market sales, but without a model to consider on the road racing segment. The strategy is to get at the big boy's table in order to get accepted as a race bike builder.
On the grid at Valencia
After a lot of developing and testing started in the fall of 2015, the prototypes are ready to take their place on the grid. Two former experienced MotoGP riders, Mika Kalio and Alex Hoffman were the first to test the bikes in Valencia. Pol Espargaro and Bradley Smith (now at Yamaha Tech3) will be the full-time pilots in KTM's saddle for 2017 season. The KTM team announced that Mika Kalio will be the first to race the RC16. The debut race is scheduled to be the last round of 2016 MotoGP season.