The KTM X-Bow is the product of Austrian motorcycle maker KTM sensing a chill in the air. Having established itself as a respected maker of off-road and competition motorcycles, it dipped its toes more deeply into the road bike market with some predictably hard-edged, high performance models. However, the slow but relentless decline in the number of motorcycle licences across Europe spurred the firm on to try its engineering hand at building a four-wheeler.
The result is the KTM X-Bow, a roofless, windscreen-less, two seat mid-engined sports car designed for road and track, which drives it firmly into the virtual paddock occupied by the Ariel Atom, Lotus 2-Eleven and various Caterhams. But it is so outlandish in its design that, even next to the established track-day-inspired oddballs, it looks like its from another planet.
Much of the KTM X-Bow is carbonfibre, and it comes either in black, black and white or black and orange, the trademark colour scheme of its makers.
The X-Bow is powered by a 237bhp 2.0-litre TFSI engine from Audi, complete with six-speed gearbox. Structurally, the core of the KTM is an immensely strong carbonfibre tub, much of it exposed, and it’s possible to specify ancillary bodywork in matching carbonfibre too. The body generates almost 200kg of downforce at 124mph, and it’s suspended by pushrod-actuated double wishbone suspension.
There’s not much creature comfort inside, but the sliding pedal platform is brilliant and combines with a four-way adjustable wheel.
A hard-to-read LCD instrument pack sits between the twin cowls of the facia, while the controls for its trip computer and lap-timer sit on the steering wheel along with the indicators, horn and headlight flashers.
And of course the KTM X-Bow is predictably fast, not to mention huge fun. And unexpectedly refined, too, with a supple ride, relatively muted exhausts and a body remarkable free of vibration. But it can get a bit draughty if you drive without a crash helmet, which isn’t advised.
Draughts aside, in fact, the X-Bow almost seems tame. The X-Bow might do without ESP, traction control or ABS, and there’s no assistance for steering and brakes either, but it appears almost disappointingly benign on the track – throttle response is blunted unless the turbo is spinning hard, and turn-in feels more measured than electric.
If you want more go from your X-Bow then the harder edged, more stiffly sprung X-Bow R gets an extra 58bhp and a lower centre of gravity, which makes for a faster, sharper track car at the expense of some of the standard Street version’s virtually unflappable civility.
Overall, in standard form at least, the X-Bow feels rapid, grippy, stable and obedient, its chief sensation-generator the denial of a roof and much of a windscreen.
But build speed and confidence – not hard, with a mid-engined chassis this friendly – and you realise that this is an utterly exhilarating weapon. Turn-in sharpens at speed, spearing the KTM through switchback twists that allow you to feel the car pivoting directly beneath your spine. You sense g-force, too, of which it can pull as much as 1.5 on road tyres.
The steering is quite heavy when loaded, slightly masking its fine sensitivity, and the servo-less, ABS-less brakes must be pressed hard, although the results are mighty effective if you can stay the right side of locking a wheel.
More speed increases the buffeting and your need for concentration, especially given the possibility of a rear-end slither or brake lock-up. Oversteer moments are satisfyingly easy and unalarming to correct, making this a car that it’s easy to polish your skills with.
The X-Bow is a bit of a contradiction, mixing civility and cockpit turbulence. On track, some may find it lacks the physical excitement – and occasional intimidation – of its rivals.
Yet it’s hard not to fall for the X-Bow’s wonderful manners and the flattering way it lets you hone your skills without too many heart-in-mouth moments.
It’s no beauty, but it is fascinating to look at, thoroughly well built and extensively crash-tested. Whether it’s worth more than an Ariel Atom is debatable, but this is a terrific track-day machine with remarkably good road manners. But given its price, you’ve got to love the X-Bow as a piece of engineering and product design as much as you’ve got to love the driving experience.
