The KTM RC16 has finally been spied testing, this time at the Red Bull Ring in Austria. For those who don’t remember, KTM is set to join the MotoGP paddock for the 2017 season, after announcing that it was working on a new V4 MotoGP platform that it will sell to the public for €140,000 (presumably slightly detuned).
The Austrian firm recently signed Mika Kallio as its test rider, though the photos here seem to be of Alex Hofmann. As a former MotoGP racer, Kallio’s input on the KTM RC16 will be of great benefit to the race team developers, although it appears there is already a muse for KTM’s inspiration.
Though there are substantial differences between the machines, a quick look of the KTM RC16 brings thoughts of the Honda RC213V – as much as we hate to make those kind of comparisons.
But, the front intake is very similar, as is the design for the exhaust and swingarm. The KTM RC16 of course has a steel trellis frame – the Honda has an aluminum twin-spar frame – and will share many similarities with any MotoGP for the 2017 season, namely 17″ wheels, carbon brake discs, and top-shelf Brembo pieces. The suspension of course is being handled by WP Suspension.
The addition of Red Bull to the fairing on the RC16 is very interesting, as the energy drink company appears to be working with the KTM factory effort.
That’s no small surprise. Red Bull owns the aptly named Red Bull Ring race track in Austria, which will join the MotoGP circus starting in 2016.
KTM and Red Bull also share a nationality, and have collaborated before in Moto3, with great success. It shall be interesting to see what fruits are born between these two companies working together, not to mention to see how the RC16 develops against the field.
Source: Moto.it
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