The X-Bow laps the 'Ring. Image: KTM
I’ll admit to having a jones for all things KTM. I’d have a 990 SMT supermotard bike parked in my garage right now, except for this thing called “disposable income” that I lack in any appreciable amount. If money were no object, I’d also consider adding a KTM X-Bow (pronounced “crossbow”) to the same garage, since you can now buy them in the United States. At least I would have considered buying an X-Bow, until British Racing Group LLC announced rolling chassis prices for the U.S. market. Sans engine and transaxle, the Austrian oversized go-kart starts at the same price as a well-optioned Z06 Corvette. Ouch.
If you want specifics, the base “Street” model starts at $88,500 for a rolling chassis, designed to take a 2.0 liter Audi turbo motor and Audi transaxle. Step up to the “Clubsport” and the same roller sets you back $103,500; opt for the “Superlight” and the price jumps to $134,500. If you want the best X-Bow that money can buy, you’ll need to pony up for the GT4, which will empty your bank account of $139,000. Remember, you still need to add an engine and transaxle, plus labor if you’re not inclined to turn your own wrenches. By KTM’s own estimates, a base Audi motor and gearbox will set you back another $7,900 plus installation and tuning. Let’s round up and call it an even $10,000, which makes the price of the cheapest KTM X-Bow $98,500, or just a few track days shy of the $100k barrier.
That’s a hell of a lot of money to spend on a car you can’t even drive on the street. In fact, that kind of money would buy you a whole bunch of track day toys, ranging from an Ariel Atom through spec racers and even formula cars. At half the amount, I get the appeal, but at the prices British Racing Group LLC expects, I’d call this particular X-Bow way off target.
Source: Autoblog
Kurt Ernst has been passionate about automobiles and driving nearly his entire life. His early years were shaped working in the family service station, though his real passion was auto racing. After graduating from the University of Colorado, Kurt spent a year club racing with the Sports Car Club of America, before focusing on a business career in marketing and project management. Later, his passion for writing and the automotive hobby found him freelancing for a variety of automotive news sites, including Automotive Addicts and Motor Authority, where his work was syndicated and appeared in several national publications. Recognized as an expert in the automotive field, Kurt joined Hemmings Motor News as an Associate Editor in 2013, and in the years since has progressed to Editor, Hemmings Daily; Managing Editor for Hemmings Motor News, Hemmings Classic Car, Hemmings Muscle Machines, and the Hemmings Daily; and now, Managing Editor, Hemmings Auctions. Kurt was instrumental in organizing the Hemmings Motor News Concours d’Elegance from 2013-2019, and has served as a judge at this event and The Vintage Racing Stable Concours d’Elegance. A Skip Barber Racing School graduate and prolific writer, Ernst is also skilled in copyediting, project management, brand development, and public relations.
