I test drove a screen-less KTM X-bow and it was impossible to enjoy without a full faced helmet and yet when I got out the wind burn froze a stupid grin on my face that took hours to thaw. Great car for a biker who needs 4 wheels.
drove one on a bigger kart-track and it felt like... a bigger kart!. and the G-forces where incredible -seen happy people and puking people, both because of the same car.
I'm extremely confused by negativity in the comments here, on what is ultimately a channel for 'petrolheads'. I can think of plenty of cars I would rather have for 100k, there may be things more conventional, lighter, faster, aesthetically pleasing etc but if this drove past me I would have massive respect for the owner because they have made a left field decision based on their own wishes and needs. I've had plenty of interesting cars (most of them at the cheaper end of the scale admittedly) but 'what other people think' has always been so far down my list of priorities when choosing a car, I don't think it even figures.
Looking at their website, the carbon tub and crash structures are based on the Formula 3 car, and complies with crash test requirements for F3 and FIA GT
This is one of those cars you really have to want. For those that can even consider it, then I guess the money is not really a consideration. The ultimate big boys toy. Love that it exists, hate that I could never afford one.
I'm a big fan of these although I've never had the opportunity to jump behind the wheel of one yet. That's definitely something I need to rectify! Another awesome video. I'm going to have to keep trying to persuade you into a collaboration 😁
I would love to see you test the Reiter gt4 version and see how it compares. Or even better the new gtx, although I imagine that would be impossible to come by any time soon
Few wiil buy because few can afford the price tag! Toys like these are always desired but costs are astronomical, but the cheaper end of the spectrum are where the sales are higher, like the CF moto type vehicles.
Considering the very small numbers of them built their popularity on wrecked exotics says everything you need to know about the x-bow’s handling and the people who can afford to buy one.
Once you get to this kind of money for a track focussed car, I think it makes more sense to buy a 320d with a trailer and then buy something not road legal for the track. How much do old porsche cup cars go for? I'm sure you could get something like that for way less than a X-bow. The rationale behind the expensive road legal track car boils down to a few things from what I can see: 1. Finance deals 2. You can enjoy a weekend hoon on public roads 3. Poser value 4. You drive one car to and from the track, no trailer storage etc.
Most people have budgets. For me personally I have a budget of close to £100k for a track weapon. Whereas spending £160k is a whole different category. £160k for me is outside of my budget, does this mean I should not buy a £100k car? no it doesn't of course. To say if you can't stretch to £160k from £100k then you should not bother is deluded - there is a massive difference. Most of the time it's freeing up capital - selling investments etc. Other people on more "common"/mass produced marques will finance their cars. You cannot do this with the X-BOW or Atom etc as far as I am aware so the money has to come from your bank account.
I can only think of one lightweight track car that has a N/A engine, and that's the beautiful 1st generation BAC Mono. Actually I would like to submit a request for a road test of said car.
Have a look for his review of the standard CLA45- the title is "Everything that's wrong with modern cars". What you're after then, is "Everything that's wrong with modern cars, but with a slightly bigger boot."
I would expect to get a lot more for my money, £100k is a shit load of money. I would expect to get a bigger engine then that as well, V6 or V8 at least with a supercharger. Would be heavier for sure but better throttle response and more power at the same time.
With you on that as an Elise S1 MMC owner - well I say me it belongs to my GF - I am not allowed to drive it - I may have accidentally crashed her 1st one - it wasn't my fault - it never is.....
I’m sorry I know the KTM is a great car but doesn’t matter what you do with it you’d look such a spanner in it, even more than Audi and BMW drivers. EDIT: I’m not referring to James with “you”.
Hi James, you didn’t look comfortable in that car. Why on Earth would anyone buy this car at 100,000 when a Porsche gt3 is available at the same price the mind boggles. Cheers Phil.
@@LawrenceTimme Disagree, both are road/track orientated cars. As previous comment, one could buy a Caterham 620R and have change for the price of this eccentric vehicle.
I'm more than sure that on a track in attack mode this is a monster killer - but on the road.........? People will look at you and you will think they are looking on with envy...but it won't be that at all!!
Not really, the caterhams with a similar wight/power ratio are much faster than this on a track, go check some laptimes, this is by far not worth 100k lol.
Hilarious, fun car. But there are so many other options for track day fun that are cheaper and just as fun. I'm afraid it sounds awful to my ears. I'd be straight to Caterham. Edit: spotted it's coming up for auction on collecting cars so we will see if there is the right person willing to overlook the competition.
Completely biased...Lotus 3-Eleven. And at under 1000 kg I could get way more power out of my Elise... but I have resisted the temptation and have kept it NA. Pure driving machine. Looks like the KTM is shod with Yoko 052s, which I have on my Lotus.
£100k ? Not for me I am afraid as it is not that special. If you want a KTM buy one of their motorcycles, they are very, very good. You could have a Lotus and a KTM bike for £100k
It's only redeeming feature is that it's fugly.... I expect it to feature in the next Mad Max movie.... My BMW F800R is more exciting at 3% of the price....
Nice review! :-) I own my Dallara since 2009, drove it nearly 70.000 km since then, and still there is NO car, i would change it for. 10:26 been there, done that. th-cam.com/video/HY5rMTDGTmY/w-d-xo.html
@@alexv8150 No like road cars now. If you read the stories of the old F1 cars they were not very fun to drive, two second turbo lag and engines which didn't last.
@@alexv8150 I do not want a road car which takes two seconds to spool up, and two seconds to start braking. Or has to be rebuilt every time I use it. Rally car turbos are much more exciting, although even the legendary 80s/90s stuff used Anti lag which in a road car would kill the engine pretty quick. I've driven decent turbo cars (Audi RS6 C7, Ferrari 488, Roma) but this particular car deserves an engine much better than what they put in it
The GT version looks so ugly, on top of that every caterham with a smilar power/weight ratio will turn circles around it, KTM is not even close in terms of laptimes. If i would get a car like that it would be a Caterhame or a Lotus or maybe an Ultima for that price.
I test drove a screen-less KTM X-bow and it was impossible to enjoy without a full faced helmet and yet when I got out the wind burn froze a stupid grin on my face that took hours to thaw. Great car for a biker who needs 4 wheels.
Wouldn't want one ever, but I'll give a big cheesy grin to anyone I see driving it.
drove one on a bigger kart-track and it felt like... a bigger kart!. and the G-forces where incredible -seen happy people and puking people, both because of the same car.
Love this car. It's problem is the competition. It's tough to look past an Elise or Atom to get to this.
Always liked the original X-bow but at that price you could get something like a Ultima RS 950kg 1200bhp and that would eat this alive.
I'm extremely confused by negativity in the comments here, on what is ultimately a channel for 'petrolheads'.
I can think of plenty of cars I would rather have for 100k, there may be things more conventional, lighter, faster, aesthetically pleasing etc but if this drove past me I would have massive respect for the owner because they have made a left field decision based on their own wishes and needs.
I've had plenty of interesting cars (most of them at the cheaper end of the scale admittedly) but 'what other people think' has always been so far down my list of priorities when choosing a car, I don't think it even figures.
Can't get over the price with that engine and those looks.
Yep, severely beaten with an ugly stick over and over again.
I might be alone on this, but I really like how these things look.
Great video, as always good to hear your blunt perspective rather than just the normal regurgitated BS from the marketing brochure!!
Looking at their website, the carbon tub and crash structures are based on the Formula 3 car, and complies with crash test requirements for F3 and FIA GT
Thinking what else you could buy instead for 103k
Cheers for the review James, not many buyers in the comments section! Hahaha
Always the way!
;-)
This is one of those cars you really have to want. For those that can even consider it, then I guess the money is not really a consideration. The ultimate big boys toy. Love that it exists, hate that I could never afford one.
They’re only $40k ish nowadays on the used market
Its Exige 430 Cup money James. Which one would you put your own money in to.
It went round one of those at Cadwell like it was stood still. Quicker in a straight line as well
Darkside Developments !!!really🤔
@@clashcityrocker2051 yes really
Wow.... must be worth 100k then😉
Are sales going well?
Are dark side going to do a diesel version?
That was the plan when we bought it...
I'm a big fan of these although I've never had the opportunity to jump behind the wheel of one yet. That's definitely something I need to rectify!
Another awesome video. I'm going to have to keep trying to persuade you into a collaboration 😁
Drop us an email, on track often!
Get in touch ktm@darksidedevelopments.co.uk
First time I've seen one with a screen... practical
You could have just gone down Park Spring if looking for NSL roads, Dark side seem like to use that as their test run.
I love your videos Jay, just wish you’d give the cars more beans...which I know can be challenging on public roads
We'll leave that to TheCarGuys.
The police can do you for it by working out how quick you pass the white lines on the road or other points of reference.
That's some compliment! Comparing it to an Elise in the way you compare an Elise to a Calibra!
KTM. Keep The Money coming. Expensive bikes and now expensive cars! Very nice though.
Driving through my local village ✌️👍
Great review and an epic car, like button is hit 👍🏻
I would love to see you test the Reiter gt4 version and see how it compares. Or even better the new gtx, although I imagine that would be impossible to come by any time soon
Keep an eye on us ;)
What car? 1:21
Can you do a comparison witrh Atom 4?
Is it great fun? Absolutely. Is it a £100K car? Pahahahahaha
But you can buy it for about £50k second hand, which for what you get isn’t bad.
Love the vids, but does everything have to be compared to a Lotus when so few of us have ever driven one?...
When it comes to light weight track cars, yes.
@@JayEmmOnCars keep up the great content 👍
Few wiil buy because few can afford the price tag!
Toys like these are always desired but costs are astronomical, but the cheaper end of the spectrum are where the sales are higher, like the CF moto type vehicles.
Considering the very small numbers of them built their popularity on wrecked exotics says everything you need to know about the x-bow’s handling and the people who can afford to buy one.
James May will be very pleased with the new windowscreen 😂😂
Once you get to this kind of money for a track focussed car, I think it makes more sense to buy a 320d with a trailer and then buy something not road legal for the track. How much do old porsche cup cars go for? I'm sure you could get something like that for way less than a X-bow.
The rationale behind the expensive road legal track car boils down to a few things from what I can see:
1. Finance deals
2. You can enjoy a weekend hoon on public roads
3. Poser value
4. You drive one car to and from the track, no trailer storage etc.
How could anyone hate on this video. Where’s the lady friend on video !
Would rather have a 3-11 👍
I love your videos your mybidol
Fun looking and exciting to drive. But perhaps a little to expensive!🤔
Love the X-Bow look but I think that if I had that sort of money I would go for a BAC Mono instead
Yeah all day everyday. And that's coming from a Ktm fanboy
You need another £60k on top of this to get a BAC Mono
If that's a problem you shouldn't be spending 100k in a track toy... xD
Most people have budgets. For me personally I have a budget of close to £100k for a track weapon. Whereas spending £160k is a whole different category. £160k for me is outside of my budget, does this mean I should not buy a £100k car? no it doesn't of course. To say if you can't stretch to £160k from £100k then you should not bother is deluded - there is a massive difference. Most of the time it's freeing up capital - selling investments etc. Other people on more "common"/mass produced marques will finance their cars. You cannot do this with the X-BOW or Atom etc as far as I am aware so the money has to come from your bank account.
How on Earth do you get in and out of it with that wrap-around screen!
Mrs Martin did look very enthralled. 🤫
It has doors :)
@@ktmx-bowuk6839 If it has a roof and I win the Euromillions then I'll have one! 👍
His eminence Lord Panda would be very pleased with this car. Top bear. 🐼
Not for me but great to see it reviewed.
I can only think of one lightweight track car that has a N/A engine, and that's the beautiful 1st generation BAC Mono. Actually I would like to submit a request for a road test of said car.
Brilliant.
200k in Australia
Hey James, can you do a video on the Mercedes Benz cla45 amg shooting brake?
Are you sure you really want to watch that? I have a feeling that you would be really disappointed with that review.
Have a look for his review of the standard CLA45- the title is "Everything that's wrong with modern cars". What you're after then, is "Everything that's wrong with modern cars, but with a slightly bigger boot."
Weren't these £50k when they came out they said on Top Gear 😈
The original had less options. Still a ridiculous price tho.
Just out of interest... what price would you think a KTM X-Bow GT should be?
@@ktmx-bowuk6839 Taking inflation in to consideration £60k-£70k maybe 😈
I would expect to get a lot more for my money, £100k is a shit load of money. I would expect to get a bigger engine then that as well, V6 or V8 at least with a supercharger. Would be heavier for sure but better throttle response and more power at the same time.
300BHp in an 850KG car is plenty
If I saw you in that car I would assume some guy having a mid life crisis bought a kit car.
100k?? WTF? KTM have surely lost their minds!
I'm writing this comment even before I have even watched the video. Nothing is as good as a Lotus... in my opinion anyway.
With you on that as an Elise S1 MMC owner - well I say me it belongs to my GF - I am not allowed to drive it - I may have accidentally crashed her 1st one - it wasn't my fault - it never is.....
An Elise S1 with a K20 swap can probably feel the same. And cheaper too.
I would much rather own an Aston Martin Vantage and Polaris Slingshot than the KTM Crossbow.
Cool
100k is abit much,it works out cheaper to buy a second hand r8 and use the saved money for tryers, fuel and insurance .
I’m sorry I know the KTM is a great car but doesn’t matter what you do with it you’d look such a spanner in it, even more than Audi and BMW drivers.
EDIT: I’m not referring to James with “you”.
Hi James, you didn’t look comfortable in that car. Why on Earth would anyone buy this car at 100,000 when a Porsche gt3 is available at the same price the mind boggles. Cheers Phil.
Agreed on both counts.
Because you want a more raw feeling. No everybody wants a gt3.
A GT3 is a completely different car. Like saying why would you buy this when you could get a range rover SVR. 😂😂
@@steffenkawa8374 Caterham 620R with change.
@@LawrenceTimme Disagree, both are road/track orientated cars. As previous comment, one could buy a Caterham 620R and have change for the price of this eccentric vehicle.
I'm more than sure that on a track in attack mode this is a monster killer - but on the road.........?
People will look at you and you will think they are looking on with envy...but it won't be that at all!!
Not really, the caterhams with a similar wight/power ratio are much faster than this on a track, go check some laptimes, this is by far not worth 100k lol.
@@benistingray6097 this KTM is a sports-car, it can´t really be compared to fun-cars just by parameters like wight and power..
£100K buys a REAL racing car (and the trailer and the tow car)
No
And you thought the AR 4C is overpriced ?!
Hilarious, fun car. But there are so many other options for track day fun that are cheaper and just as fun. I'm afraid it sounds awful to my ears. I'd be straight to Caterham.
Edit: spotted it's coming up for auction on collecting cars so we will see if there is the right person willing to overlook the competition.
this looks brilliant but 100k! that's steep...
The logical next step would be an Ariel Atom review 😄
Looks hideous. 100k, seriously..
Looks like the old one to me!!
Completely biased...Lotus 3-Eleven. And at under 1000 kg I could get way more power out of my Elise... but I have resisted the temptation and have kept it NA. Pure driving machine. Looks like the KTM is shod with Yoko 052s, which I have on my Lotus.
good car..lksmatched
Audi has made quite a few engines for other companies without putting them in any of their own cars.
True, but didn't he say it had a BMW engine in this? I'm confused m
I think I heard Audi :)
@@sensationalfailure You are 100% correct. My bad! :)
Audi s3 8p engine 2.0 tfsi cdl
Just get an ariel atom smh
@Sarkozy nah
@Sarkozy who buys a track car for the looks XD it's for driving not sitting in car parks.
Why would you even biy a car like this for the road. I drove this on a RB race track in Austria and is the best car I ever drove..
The title is "as good as a lotus" but you spent the whole video asking if it was "as good as a Zenos" haha.
First time I see one with a windscreen ... looks like total shit with that windscreen ..just take it off and take on the bugs like a real man :)))
I like the car but at £103.000, no thanks!
I’d buy the engine with a nice golf r wrapped round it for 70k less
Check out dark sides Xbow 👌👌damn it should have watched before I open3d my mouth 😂😂
A car like this deserves a supercharger instead of the turbo. All the fun with none of the lag.
On a track, you don't get in those low revs. On a track, a turbo is superior. But they're calling this a GT, so yeah, should go with the super.
Is it me...or is this car VERY wide ?
It's 13mm wider than James 7 series.
@@ApothecaryTerry interesting thanks
100k well at least you can see what you get for your money ;)
Don't know anything of this car.. Not watched video yet. But is it worth one hundred thousand pounds. Not a chance
£100k ? Not for me I am afraid as it is not that special. If you want a KTM buy one of their motorcycles, they are very, very good. You could have a Lotus and a KTM bike for £100k
Prefer a BAC mono
No mates? Haha
2:12 nice to see Olive has finally managed to upgrade from her side car of old👍🏻
“More exciting than a motorbike”. Errrr you’ve not ridden KTMs 1290 Superduke r then.😉
No I have not
@@JayEmmOnCars time to come over to the dark side😎. Great content, loving the channel👍
I’d rather buy a KTM Motorbike and a sportscar with a roof with the change.
Lady friend 😂😂
👍
I'm in the camp of not getting this car, there are better track cars and road cars available for less money
If that car had the same reliability issues as their bikes then I'd pass.. plus 100K is laughable quite frankly
Rode ktm mx bikes aswell as road and enduro bikes for years never once had a reliability problem
Kosts Too Much
More than a dictionary...
@@resnonverba137 🤦
It's only redeeming feature is that it's fugly.... I expect it to feature in the next Mad Max movie.... My BMW F800R is more exciting at 3% of the price....
A car more exciting than a motorbike? I highly doubt that Jay. It's not even the most exciting car. Get an atom instead
Reviewing a track car without going to the track is just lame
To spend 100k on that you’d have to be so rich 100k is meaningless
Wow does it make its driver look a prat
Interesting in it's way. But really, if I wanted that kind open car, I'd rather get a nice old mid 50's MG TF.
Nice review! :-) I own my Dallara since 2009, drove it nearly 70.000 km since then, and still there is NO car, i would change it for. 10:26 been there, done that. th-cam.com/video/HY5rMTDGTmY/w-d-xo.html
The way you constantly cry about turbos makes me question what kind of enthusiast you are?
One who doesn't think turbos have any place in a lightweight track special
@@JayEmmOnCars like formula 1 cars in the 80’s or rally cars since forever?
@@alexv8150 No like road cars now. If you read the stories of the old F1 cars they were not very fun to drive, two second turbo lag and engines which didn't last.
@@JayEmmOnCars F1 cars which are not “fun” to drive? Really? The filming locations and editing really carry this channel ...
@@alexv8150 I do not want a road car which takes two seconds to spool up, and two seconds to start braking. Or has to be rebuilt every time I use it.
Rally car turbos are much more exciting, although even the legendary 80s/90s stuff used Anti lag which in a road car would kill the engine pretty quick.
I've driven decent turbo cars (Audi RS6 C7, Ferrari 488, Roma) but this particular car deserves an engine much better than what they put in it
The GT version looks so ugly, on top of that every caterham with a smilar power/weight ratio will turn circles around it, KTM is not even close in terms of laptimes.
If i would get a car like that it would be a Caterhame or a Lotus or maybe an Ultima for that price.
We do overtake Exige's for fun on trackdays
@@ryanp6138 yeah and my Miata has overtaken Lamborghinis and Ferraris, doesnt mean the Miata is the faster car does it?!
Yeah, I'd rather go with the Exige, too.
👍🏴
It looks terrible and the price is a joke. I have no idea what guys at KTM were thinking
Sorry, thats just ridiculous. For the track, it should be great but for anything else its daft.