KTM X-Bow review

This is where the KTM gets a little devisive. Loris Binnochi (he of Pagani fame) sorted the chassis and it's a peach - but it isn't the most committed thing you'll ever drive. It drops into safe understeer pretty early. Fun for the beginner, but not quite matching the super-extreme looks. Luckily, there are more hardcore X-Bows in the pipeline - they should add some spice to a great base version. 

The X-Bow is a surprise for something that looks like it should be starring in the ‘Transformers' movies - you can actually go some distance in it without crippling yourself. Obviously there's no weather protection, so you've got to be a little careful with exposed body parts (ie/ your face), but properly kitted up this is an easy car to drive, if not for a long way.

Looks fast doesn't it? Shame that in the base version at least, it isn't really. The 0-60mph time of 3.9 seconds is obviously impressive, but the 2.0-litre turbo is lifted from the Audi range and is in a relatively mild state of tune at 240bhp (tuners have seen a reliable 350). Saying that it's relatively heavy at 790kg, despite all the carbon fibre. You can have a fibreglass version that costs half as much too...