KTM HEADS TO SCHOOL

The next generation of motorsport engineering students at the University of Wolverhampton have been given a READY TO RACE boost in the form of a KTM DUKE 690 motor from the Austrian firm. The University’s School of Engineering took custody of the powerful single cylinder engine during a handover at KTM’s UK base at Silverstone. The iconic engine will be used on student assignments, including in the development of the University’s Formula Student project.

KTM’s legendary LC4 motor was the perfect choice for the University. Offering 73 hp of power and 74 Nm of torque, the ebullient 690cc single cylinder engine offers exactly the sort of performance that the next generation of engineers crave – and that owners of the 690 DUKE love. High revving, packed full of clever engineering solutions and impressively light, the LC4 motor is the perfect platform for the University of Wolverhampton’s students to explore and exploit.

KTM always has its eyes on the future and ring fences success in years to come with considerable current Research and Development investment. The Mattighofen-based company is nearing the end of the project to extend its R&D department with a €25m expansion that will deliver 100 highly qualified roles once fully open. Just under 20 per cent of the company is employed in R&D positions and in 2016 KTM invested 8.1 per cent of its revenues into R&D. This is what has powered the company become Europe's largest motorcycle manufacturer - and to keep adding to KTM's current tally of over 270 world titles.  

Similarly, The University of Wolverhampton has invested considerably in its engineering facilities and is renowned for its Automotive and Motorsport Engineering courses. Mixing theory with practice, the University moves away from the lecture theatres and workshops once the week is over and regularly competes in many forms of motorsport at the weekend, where the University of Wolverhampton Race Team (UWR) competes in a number of different disciplines. Proving they too are READY TO RACE, the UWR team runs hillclimb, Morgan and Formula Student cars, and in 2017 the was the first University team to compete in the British F3 Cup.

David Tucker, Principal Lecturer in Motorsport at the University of Wolverhampton, said: “We couldn’t be more grateful for the donation of this fantastic KTM engine. One of our students, Tom Hill, who is the deputy team leader for Formula Student for 2018, is going to be specifically looking at additive layer manufacturing of cylinder heads that will require the study of various parts of the engine. The technologies involved are fantastic, and we’re really looking forward to working with the motor. We have also invited KTM to the University to see the motor in use, and all the other facilities and projects we’re working on.”

Matt Walker, Managing Director at KTM UK, said: “Everything we do as a company abides by our READY TO RACE philosophy, and seeing the University’s portfolio of motorsport activities it seems that the University of Wolverhampton should adopt the slogan, too! Research and Development is such an important factor in KTM’s success, but not every investment has to be made at the R&D department in Mattighofen. That’s why we’re happy to inspire the next generation of engineers with the donation of the 690 DUKE engine. It leaves the building with our hope that one day these students may return to KTM and bring their learnings to the company’s R&D department.”

Picture Caption from left to right: 

Matt Walker, MD KTM UK, David Tucker (University of Wolverhampton) and Tom Hill, Motorsports Engineering student.