The car's tub-like design is a popular target for sharp commentary. The X-Bow's been available around its home turf since 2008, so there's been plenty of opportunity for European and American motoring press to weigh in. The 240 horsepower Volkswagen-Audi 4-cylinder FSI engine also rounds out the rear. This construction makes the X-Bow twice as resistant to twisting as a steel-bodied convertible. The tub-like cockpit is constructed of a carbon fiber variant that, according to The Telegraph, is actually called "industrial fiber." In the front, the cockpit is strengthened with racing-spec carbon fiber crash reinforcements and the exhaust provides support for the rear. The chassis was engineered by Dallara, an Italian racecar design firm that specializes in lightweight and high-tech materials. All other major components and features are sourced from different suppliers. KTM borrowed the exhaust from its family of bikes, and in fact, that's the only KTM-produced element of the car. But designing a car requires a slightly different skill set, so KTM enlisted a team of experts to help ensure the X-Bow would be the leader of the pack. KTM is known for its racing bikes, so it's little surprise that the X-Bow performs much like a four-wheeled motorcycle. So, what makes the X-Bow so sought after - is it just the "can't have it" factor? On the next page, we'll talk more about the X-Bow's design. Suffice it to say, the numbers alone don't tell the whole story. Though it's rather sprightly in a spartan car, the relatively low power output might be surprising for a track toy that sits just shy of a six-figure price tag. Though the car comes unpowered, it was designed to work with a specific engine - a rather common 240 horsepower four-cylinder that's borrowed from the Volkswagen-Audi family (more on that later). It's noteworthy that the X-Bow has created such a stir despite its modest underpinnings. The difficulties of owning the X-Bow seem only to contribute to its cult-like status. (However, it's cleared for road use in most of the European Union, as well as the United Arab Emirates.) īritish Racing Group's terms also include legalese that says, basically, just because they'll sell it doesn't mean the buyer will necessarily be able to drive it, at least according to national and state governmental regulations. As such, it is sold without engine and transaxle". Specifically, they say, "The North American specification KTM X-Bow is classified as a special construction vehicle by the EPA, NHSTA and state departments of transportation. Buying and installing the make-it-go parts is your problem (but it's a plight rather common with kit cars). They'll dodge sticky legality issues by marketing the X-Bow as a kit car - in other words, they'll sell you the shell. British Racing Group L.L.C., a boutique dealership chain that specializes in locating and selling hard-to-find cars, has taken over stateside sales efforts. Deep-pocketed track enthusiasts have been waiting since 2008 to get their butts in the seat of the X-Bow, but KTM never finalized its long-rumored plans to import it.
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