KTM X-Bow R 2017 review

I know what you're thinking: "How is this legal?" And, to be honest, somewhere between a rock that had been thrown off the wheel of a passing car and hit me in the forehead like it had been shot from a pistol, and the pouring rain lashing my exposed face like a wet nine-tailed cat, I began to wonder the same question.

The answer is hardly. The product of years of fighting to get past our import regulations, this crazy KTM X-Bow R is now finally free to roam Australian roads and racetracks, though sales are limited to 25 vehicles per year under the Specialist Enthusiast Vehicle scheme.

Price? Slightly attractive $169,990. That's quite a lot, and the X-Bow R outperforms its closest carbon-fiber-bodied lightweight competitor, the Alfa Romeo 4C ($89,000C).

But on the other hand, the KTM X-Bow R is like nothing else today. Half superbike, half XNUMXxXNUMX and full of mobile madness, the Crossbow is fast, furious and downright insane.

Expect no doors, no windshield, no roof.

Expect no doors, no windshield, no roof. Entertainment on board is limited to turbos whistling behind your head, the car's standard safety list is as barren as the cabin, and climate control depends on the temperature of the wind that hits your exposed face.

And we couldn't wait to try.

Does it represent good value for money? What functions does it have? 7/10

Astute readers of this site will know that this is the area where we describe the many and varied features that come with a typical new car purchase, but it just won't work this time. In fact, it will be much easier to talk about what is missing, so let's start with the obvious: doors, windows, roof, windshield. All this is clearly missing in this strange and absolutely wonderful X-Bow.

It couldn't be more "Fast and Furious" if Vin Diesel snarled under its (defunct) hood.

Inside, you'll find two thin (we mean thin - we've seen thicker contact lenses) upholstered seats anchored in the tub. You'll also find push-button start, a digital screen reminiscent of those found on motorcycles (KTM is an Austrian motorcycle company, after all), and a pedal unit that slides back and forth to accommodate the rider's height. Oh, and that steering wheel can be removed to make getting in and out easier.

Climate control? Nope. Stereo? Nope. Unlock by proximity? Well, sort of. Without doors, you will always find that it is not locked when you are near it. Does it count?

But what it does have is a two-liter turbocharged engine. And in a car that weighs a brisk 790kg, that means it's fast, pulling like a rabid sled dog in every gear, rear tires chirping with every gear change.

Is there anything interesting about its design? 8/10

The X-Bow R is designed for this purpose in the most remarkable way. From the visible suspension components to the rocket-style exhaust pipes and exposed interior, it's clear that form came second to function in the X-Bow's design process.

And, at least for us, it's a huge thing. It looks raw and visceral, and a bit like a Harvey Dent after a fire - you can see all the normally hidden components doing their thing. It's bewitching.

How practical is the interior space? 5/10

Short answer? Is not. People are unlikely to test the X-Bow R and start looking for cup holders and storage space, but if they do, it won't take long.

Aside from the dual seats, four-point seat belt, high-mounted shifter, lever handbrake and detachable steering wheel, the cabin is as empty as Old Mother Hubbard's closet.

Luggage space is limited to what you can carry in your pockets.

The luggage compartment is limited to what you can carry in your pockets (although cargo pants will help), and even getting in and out of it requires some quick antics. Without doors, you have to literally jump. And the side sills are only rated for 120kg, so the heavier types need to avoid stepping on them at all and instead try to jump into the cockpit.

What are the main characteristics of the engine and transmission? 8/10

The power of the X-Bow R comes from a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine from Audi, mated to a VW Group six-speed manual transmission (and one of the shortest transmissions in existence). This mid-sized wonder produces 220kW at 6300rpm and 400Nm at 3300rpm, and sends it to the rear wheels via a Drexler mechanical limited slip differential.

Thanks to its flexible and lightweight body, the X-Bow R accelerates from 0 km/h in 100 seconds and reaches a top speed of 3.9 km/h.

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How much fuel does it consume? 7/10

KTM lists the X-Bow R's claimed/combined fuel consumption figure at 8.3 liters per hundred kilometers (although after, ahem, a very vigorous test, we managed an average of 12) with emissions pegged at 189 grams per kilometer.

The X-Bow R also features a 40-litre fuel tank, accessed via a side-mounted air scoop. Instead of a fuel gauge, expect a digital reading showing how many liters you have left.

What is it like to drive? 9/10

It couldn't be more "Fast and Furious" if Vin Diesel snarled under its (defunct) hood. We've technically driven faster cars, but we've never driven anything that feels as fast as this completely insane X-Bow R.

Climb in, buckle up with the four-point harnesses and shift first through the amazingly easy-to-operate gearbox and clutch setup, and at low speeds wrestle with the dead weight of the completely uncontrollable steering, and it's immediately clear that this is a driving experience like nothing else in the world. currently legal on Australian roads. Even at a walking pace, the X-Bow R feels ready to storm the future and draws attention on the road like nothing we've ever ridden.

On a sunny day and on the right road, it's a real pleasure to drive.

Its high ground clearance and diminutive size make battling traffic a daunting prospect: regular hatchbacks suddenly take on the proportions of a truck, and real trucks now look like they're floating past a planet. There is a constant concern that you are well below the traditional blind spot and that you could be crushed at any moment.

Add to that the bad weather that cursed our last day of testing, and the X-Bow R is a watery hell. On wet roads, it is truly deadly, the rear end breaking the clutch at the slightest provocation. And the turbocharged 2.0-litre offers plenty of that.

But on a sunny day and on the right road, it's a real pleasure to drive. Acceleration is brutal, grip is endless, and the Audi gearbox is a real treat. And it pulls in every gear, cornering at 35kph in third and absolutely blowing the other side.

Cornering is sharp as a scalpel, and the steering is so heavy at low speeds - light and efficient at speed, requiring only the most subtle movements to get into a corner.

It's anything but ideal in the city, and even a light rain will have you looking for shelter (and compensation), but on the right road, on the right day, there are few cars that offer the razor-sharp look. – the thrill and intoxicating excitement of KTM’s monstrous X-Bow R.

Warranty and safety rating

Basic Warranty

2 years / unlimited mileage


guarantee

What safety equipment is installed? What is the safety rating? 5/10

Almost not. There is no ABS, no traction control, no directional stability. There are no airbags, no power steering, no ISOFIX attachment points. If you lose traction (more than likely on wet roads), you will need to make sure you straighten up again. Thankfully, the Michelin Super Sport tires provide excellent traction.

As part of the compliance program, Simply Sports Cars (the company behind the X-Bow R) actually crash-tested two cars in Europe and increased the ride height by 10 millimetres. Oh, and now there's a seat belt warning sign.

How much does it cost to own? What kind of guarantee is provided? 5/10

The X-Bow R is backed by a two-year, unlimited-mileage warranty, and while service prices are unlimited, Simply Sports Cars estimates an average service cost at around $350.

Verdict

Okay, rain is not your friend. No scorching sun, no strong wind, no speed bumps anywhere. You'll probably want to get behind the wheel a few times, and when you do, you're bound to get hit in the face with rocks and bugs, and you'll spend most of your time wondering how the hell it's legal.

And yet we are hopelessly, head over heels in love with him. It is an absolute weapon on the track, a joy on anything that even looks like a winding road, and is one of the few truly unique vehicles on the roads today. And the fact that it exists at all is cause for absolute celebration.

Do you like the cleanliness of purpose of the KTM X-Bow R, or is its performance too narrow? Tell us what you think in the comments below.