TL;DR
- The 2018 KTM X-Bow GT4 is an S1-class Extreme Track Toy in Forza Horizon 6.
- It is a GT4-spec race car with a closed canopy, built on a carbon fiber chassis and powered by an Audi-sourced 2.0L turbo engine producing 326 hp.
- In-game stats: Speed 5.4 | Handling 8.4 | Acceleration 5.4 | Launch 2.8 | Braking 10.
- The Braking stat of 10 is a perfect score — one of the highest in the entire game.
- Weighs just 2,352 lbs, making it one of the lightest S1 cars in FH6.
- Best used for technical road races, touge battles, and circuit-style events where braking and cornering dominate.
- Revealed for Forza Horizon 6 on March 11, 2026.
Forza Horizon 6 2018 KTM X-Bow GT4 Overview
The 2018 KTM X-Bow GT4 is one of the most unique and technically demanding cars in Forza Horizon 6. It does not win races by outrunning everything in a straight line. It wins by stopping harder, turning sharper, and carrying more speed through every single corner than almost anything else in S1 class.
With a perfect Braking score of 10 and Handling of 8.4, the X-Bow GT4 is arguably the most track-focused S1 car in the entire game. If you enjoy technical driving — late braking, precise corner entry, and using every inch of the road — this is your car.
It was revealed for Forza Horizon 6 on March 11, 2026 and carries on a long history with the Forza franchise, having appeared in Forza Motorsport 7, Forza Horizon 4, and Forza Horizon 5 before making its return in FH6.
Real-World Background: What Is the KTM X-Bow GT4?
KTM is primarily known as an Austrian motorcycle manufacturer, but the X-Bow (pronounced “crossbow”) line proved the company could build serious four-wheeled performance machines as well. The X-Bow has been in production since 2008 and is built around a carbon fiber monocoque chassis — the same approach used in purpose-built race cars.
The GT4 is the closed-cockpit, GT4-specification race version of the X-Bow lineup. Unlike the open-cockpit X-Bow R, the GT4 features a full canopy and is built to compete in official FIA GT4 category racing. It was developed with Reiter Engineering, a company with serious GT racing experience.
The engine is an Audi-sourced EA113 2.0L turbocharged inline-4, upgraded to 326 hp (243 kW) in the GT4 spec. Crucially, the GT4 carries only 2,352 lbs — an extremely low weight for an S1-class car. That weight advantage is one of the key reasons the GT4 brakes and handles the way it does. A lighter car needs less stopping force, which means it can brake later and harder than heavier rivals sharing the same class.
The GT4 also benefits from Brembo racing brakes, aerodynamic bodywork designed to generate downforce, and suspension geometry tuned directly from GT4 race experience. Every element of the car is designed to make it faster through corners, not along straights.
Forza Horizon 6 2018 KTM X-Bow GT4 Car Details
- Make: KTM
- Model: X-Bow GT4
- Year: 2018
- Drivetrain: Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD)
- Engine: 2.0L Audi EA113 Turbocharged Inline-4
- Horsepower: 326 hp (243 kW)
- Weight: 2,352 lbs (1,067 kg)
- Class: S1
- Type: Extreme Track Toys
- Drivetrain: RWD
Forza Horizon 6 2018 KTM X-Bow GT4 Performance Stats
- Speed: 5.4
- Handling: 8.4
- Acceleration: 5.4
- Launch: 2.8
- Braking: 10
These numbers are unlike any other S1 car in FH6. A Speed of 5.4 and Launch of 2.8 look low on paper. But the Braking score of 10 is a perfect maximum, and the Handling of 8.4 is elite. This is not a car you drive fast in a straight line. It is a car you use to demolish every braking zone, carry impossible corner speed, and embarrass far more powerful machines on any technical layout.
The perfect Braking stat means the X-Bow GT4 can stop from high speed in an extraordinarily short distance. In practice, this allows you to brake much later than any rival — which translates directly to lap time on circuits and mountain passes. Every corner becomes an opportunity to gain time rather than just survive.
The Launch of 2.8 is the obvious weakness. The X-Bow GT4 does not launch well from a standing start. On drag strips or flat-out sprint events, it will struggle. But on any road with corners — which describes almost every event in Japan’s FH6 map — the Launch stat becomes irrelevant after the first second, and the Braking and Handling take over.
Understanding the X-Bow GT4’s Stat Profile
The X-Bow GT4 represents one of the most extreme stat distributions in all of S1 class. It trades raw power and launch for the two things that win races on technical roads: stopping power and cornering grip.
To put it in context — most fast S1 cars like the 2020 Lamborghini Huracán STO balance their stats across all categories. The STO has a Braking score of 8.7, which is already excellent. The X-Bow GT4 has a 10. That gap translates to noticeably shorter stopping distances and a real advantage in any event with proper braking zones.
The trade-off is that the X-Bow GT4 asks a lot from the driver. Low launch means you need to manage your exits carefully. The RWD layout means throttle discipline matters. But in the right hands, on the right roads, no S1 car in the game is more efficient at converting cornering ability into race wins.
Best Use Cases for the 2018 KTM X-Bow GT4 in FH6
Touge Battles
This is the X-Bow GT4’s natural habitat. Japan’s mountain passes in FH6 are defined by hairpin corners, tight chicanes, and late-braking zones. The GT4’s perfect Braking and strong Handling give it a massive structural advantage over faster but heavier cars. You can brake deeper into every corner and carry more speed through the apex. Check our full Touge Battle Mode Guide for event-specific strategy. Route-specific guides are also available for Bandai Azuma, Hakone Nanamagari, and Mt. Haruna.
Technical Road Racing
On closed-circuit and point-to-point road events with multiple braking zones, the X-Bow GT4 consistently makes up time where other cars bleed it. Any S1-class road race on a technical layout is a strong candidate for the GT4. The car is one of the best in class for FH6’s mountain passes and technical rural routes.
Spec Racing and Championships
The X-Bow GT4’s handling stats make it a top contender in S1-class championships where you cannot simply outpower the competition. Tight, technical circuits reward exactly the kind of efficiency the GT4 offers. See our Spec Racing Guide for more detail.
PR Stunts — Danger Signs and Drift Zones
The X-Bow GT4 is not the first choice for long speed traps given its low Speed stat. However, its sharp handling and RWD layout make it capable at drift zones with the right tune. For a full overview of PR stunt strategies, check our PR Stunts Guide.
How the X-Bow GT4 Compares to Other S1 Track Cars in FH6
The X-Bow GT4 occupies a unique space in S1. Most high-performance S1 cars balance speed and handling. The GT4 completely ignores speed in favour of maximum braking and handling efficiency. Here is how it compares to its closest S1 rivals:
The 2020 Lamborghini Huracán STO has Speed 7.2 | Handling 7.9 | Braking 8.7. It is more versatile — faster in a straight line and more manageable off the line. For players who want a high-performing track car that works across more event types, the STO is the safer choice. But on the tightest circuits and mountain stages, the GT4’s superior Braking and Handling stats give it the edge.
The 2022 Lamborghini Huracán Tecnica is a street-focused S1 car with a factory widebody and 202 mph top speed. It is better for speed zones, drag-style events, and casual play. The GT4 is not competing with the Tecnica on those terms — they are different tools for different jobs.
For the best cars across all S1 variants, see our Best Cars for Every Class Guide.
Upgrade Tips for the 2018 KTM X-Bow GT4
The X-Bow GT4 starts with extraordinary cornering and braking ability. Upgrading it is about protecting and extending those strengths rather than chasing power numbers.
- Do not prioritize engine upgrades early: Adding power to the GT4 without sorting rear grip first will overwhelm the RWD chassis. The car’s power-to-weight ratio is already strong thanks to its low 2,352 lb weight. Focus on chassis upgrades first.
- Tires: The GT4 benefits significantly from semi-slick or race tires. Rear tire width is especially important on a RWD car — go as wide as the PI allows without wasting points. Wider rear rubber turns the GT4’s existing handling strength into a genuine weapon.
- Suspension: Race suspension is essential. The GT4’s factory suspension is already tuned for the track, so upgrades here refine rather than transform the car. Adjustable dampers let you dial in corner entry and stability under braking.
- Race differential: Mandatory. Set rear bias slightly higher to help the car rotate on exit without spinning. On a car this light and precise, the diff setting makes a noticeable difference.
- Aerodynamics: Any adjustable aero helps balance the car between high-speed stability and corner grip. The GT4’s factory aerodynamic bodywork already generates meaningful downforce, so you do not need to go extreme here — just balance it for the event type.
- Transmission: A race transmission with short gear spacing helps you stay in the turbo’s power band through technical sections where you are constantly accelerating out of slow corners.
For deeper tuning guidance, see our full FH6 Car Tuning Guide and our Best Car Upgrade and Bodykit Presets guide.
Is the KTM X-Bow GT4 Worth Getting in Forza Horizon 6?
Yes — if you enjoy driving with precision. The X-Bow GT4 is not a car for everyone. Its low Launch stat and modest top speed mean it is not useful in drag events, long highway sprints, or anywhere raw power wins the race. But on any track with corners, it is one of the most rewarding cars in the game to drive.
A perfect Braking score of 10 at S1 class is extraordinary. No other Huracán variant, Porsche, or mainstream S1 supercar matches it. If you spend most of your time in technical touge events, mountain pass circuits, or precision road races, the GT4 gives you a structural advantage that no amount of horsepower can easily overcome.
It is also a car with genuine character. The lightweight carbon chassis, the high-revving Audi turbo engine, the race-bred aerodynamics — driving the X-Bow GT4 feels different from every other S1 car in the game. That counts for a lot in a game set in Japan, where the roads reward drivers rather than just raw machines.
If you are newer to FH6 and looking for something easier to start with, check our Best Starter Cars to Buy First guide and our Beginner’s Guide to Progression first.
Other Great Track-Focused Cars in FH6
If the GT4’s handling-first philosophy appeals to you, explore some of the other technical machines in FH6. The 2020 Lamborghini Huracán STO is the closest rival in S1 with an 8.7 Braking stat and more real-world versatility. For higher classes, the 2022 Aston Martin Valkyrie AMR Pro and the Aston Martin Vulcan AMR Pro push the track-focused concept even further.
You can also browse the full sorted list of every car by class in our All Cars by Class Complete List.
Where to Play Forza Horizon 6
Forza Horizon 6 is available on Steam for PC, Xbox Series X/S, and PlayStation 5. Visit the official Forza Horizon 6 website for news and updates.
