KTM X-Bow to launch in Australia

GOOD news for track day fans: KTM’s road-legal, track-focussed X-Bow is finally making its way from Austria to Australia.

The rapid X-Bow – pronounced “crossbow” – is built in Graz, Austria and has been on sale since 2008 in Europe, where it is regarded as a convincing alternative to the Caterham Seven and Ariel Atom.

Its spec includes a carbonfibre tub developed by Dallara, a 2.0-litre turbocharged Audi engine with 221-265kW and 400Nm, and a six-speed manual gearbox.

The X-Bow weighs about 800kg – 200-300kg heavier than its rivals – but can still accelerate from 0-100km/h in a scorching three seconds or so.

To distribute the X-Bow Down Under, KTM is partnering with Sydney-based Simply Sports Cars, a Lotus main agent, performance tuner and lightweight track-car specialist.

Simply Sports Cars managing director Lee Knappet is currently working through the Australian Design Rule (ADR) homologation process in an attempt to make the X-Bow road-legal in Australia.

This is far from a certainty, and will dictate not only how the car can be used, but when it will go on sale.

However, if all goes to plan, we’ll hopefully see X-Bows sticking strictly to the speed limit on the motorway and tearing up Bathurst in 2015.

No model range or pricing structure has yet been confirmed, but three derivatives are available in Europe: the entry-level X-Bow R, the even more hardcore X-Bow RR, and a more ‘luxurious’ X-Bow GT (with a windscreen, side windows and fabric roof).

Pricing starts from €79,900 in European markets, and an official range of performance upgrades is also available.

Fingers crossed those ADR officials have a sense of humour.