KTM is a known all over the world for making exciting, hardcore motorcycles. Their 990 Super Duke recently won Motorcyclist Magazine’s Motorcycle Of The Year Award. So it’s no surprise than that their first venture into four wheels has birthed something just as radical and hardcore as their bikes.

Called the X-Bow (pronounced cross-bow), this new vehicle is KTM’s wild statement to the world. Powered by a turbocharged four-cylinder Audi/VW engine, the new X-Bow makes around 240hp while only weighting roughly 1,800 lbs. The engine is the same unit found in Volkswagens GTI or Audi’s own A3 and A4 models.

As for handling, KTM claims the car can pull 1.5g on road tires and 1.8g on race rubber! Those are insane numbers for a road car, but then again the X-Bow is hardly that. It’s more like a track-day special that’s passed all TUV testing and was deemed road legal. But don’t expect doors, or even a windshield. KTM’s car demands that it’s occupant wear a helmet, just like on it’s bikes.

X-Bow prices start at $86,000. So it’s really a toy and you’ve got to wonder how KTM plans to make any money on this project. Project boss Stefan Riedler is confident though and states: “The break-even point for us is 4,000 cars, and we plan to make 1,000 per year. With the new race program in the FIA’s new GT4 category, we might break even sooner than that. This combination of styling, performance and especially technology is just not currently available anywhere else.”

True words. The X-Bow really is unlike anything else on the road. It’s combination of light weight, potent performance, and visceral driving experience hasn’t been seen since the days of the classic Lotus Super 7. Just like it’s bike, KTM has produced a car that’s hardcore and follows the company’s famous motto, Ready To Race!

Above: KTM’s newest toy is as “Ready To Race” as they come…