KTM X-Bow: Spotted
Some speculative tyre kicking of just one of the cars this new Zenos thing is going to have to take on
Pricing will be crucial, and revealed in due course, but in terms of competition the Zenos is going to have to prove itself against some very fierce rivals. Ones with established niches in the small but vibrant lightweight, roofless track/road car field.
Still pricey but a big saving off a new one
Well, a £34K 2008 KTM X-Bow caught our eye, this being a healthy saving off the £50K R that's the entry level to the current range. This one's only covered 8,000-odd miles too and has been upgraded from the initial 240hp to a claimed 320hp with a little tickle from ABT to the turbocharged Audi engine. It's also got a different exhaust - claimed to sound better while not busting track day noise limits - and a few other attractive sounding tweaks that close the gap between it and the 300hp R you could buy new. And if the Zenos' recycled carbon sounds a bit too bargain basement for you the KTM's is much more arty in its appearance.
Other alternatives? Well, Lotus 2-Elevens are a little bit cheaper with this 260hp SVA'd example up for £27K and smart in its decal-free red paint.
Mind you, if you're going to do the windswept look properly you may as well go all the way with an Ariel Atom. You're back up into the mid-30s for a normally aspirated Atom 3 like this one, though the windscreen is a bit of a cheat and you'll still be getting gusts up your trouser legs.
Caterhams in this vein are thin on the ground but there's a homebrew Duratec R500, upgraded from R400 spec, for just under £30K and a sequential equipped K-Series one for similar money here.
Some sharkpool for the Zenos to be plunging into then. We'll be watching with interest how it develops...
KTM X-BOW (SPEC FOR STANDARD CAR)
Engine: 1,984cc 4-cyl turbo
Transmission: 6-speed manual
Power (hp): 240@6,300rpm
Torque (lb ft): 229@3,300rpm
MPG: c. 34 (NEDC combined)
CO2: 189g/km
First registered: 2008
Recorded mileage: 8,058
Price new: c. £45,000
Yours for: £34,000
See the original ad here.
Good (well, great) cars the X-Bow, look awesome too, but a little too 'protected' from the elements and quiet (relatively) to take on the mighty Atom. IMO. Odd that a car like this can appear quite dull to drive at times.
i can't help thinking i'd end up buying something with a roof that i could tour in but i love the fact you can (& people do) buy these special little things.
think i'd prefer this to an atom, caterham or 211 mind.
proper little piece of exotica
t not remotely applicable to someone who just buys a car for road use and is more interested in general practicalities. These 'heroes' will usually also talk about LeMans and 'The Ring' of which they have been to neither and generally will not even have a pot to p1ss in.Just take no notice and do your own thing..
The insurer of my Westfield said he wouldn't cover X-Bows, due to them having to be returned to KTM in Austria for bodywork repairs...
Ouch !
The above sounds unlikely to me - there are UK specialists for X-bows, who can carry out bodywork repairs. Knowing the cost of repairs (even when done in the UK) is the more likely explanation why Insurers aren't too keen on X-bows. That said 2-Elevens are also relatively expensive to repair, compared to a Caterham, where a small nerf is only going to cost a cycle wing @ £180 for a pair in carbon!
t not remotely applicable to someone who just buys a car for road use and is more interested in general practicalitiesYou, Sir, are an utter pillock.
The insurer of my Westfield said he wouldn't cover X-Bows, due to them having to be returned to KTM in Austria for bodywork repairs...
Ouch !
The above sounds unlikely to me - there are UK specialists for X-bows, who can carry out bodywork repairs. Knowing the cost of repairs (even when done in the UK) is the more likely explanation why Insurers aren't too keen on X-bows. That said 2-Elevens are also relatively expensive to repair, compared to a Caterham, where a small nerf is only going to cost a cycle wing @ £180 for a pair in carbon!
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff