How Do You Make KTM's X-BOW Better? Add 300 Ponies

MUwah-ha-ha-ha-ha-HA! Sorry, just couldn't stifle that maniacal laugh any longer. KTM's X-Bow, which is sort of like a Lotus 7 for the new century is pretty damn light to begin with, and I mean that in a totally good way. But if you pump the horses up to 300 in a car this light? Sorry. Give me a second, I feel another laughing jag coming on.

There, now that that's out of the way, where were we? Ah yes, the KTM X-Bow. This thing is already featherweight as it is, tipping the scales at around 1000 pounds or so. In normal tune, the stock engine puts out XXX HP which is plenty healthy for a car that light.

But say you're a total nutter. Mad as a hatter. Say you're beyond the beyond, and that the stock 240 HP just isn't enough grunt for you. Enter ABT Sportline. Yes, the same folks that modify Audis as well as race them in the DTM with great success have turned their Teutonic gaze towards the X-BOW. And ABT has decided that what the car needs is more power, like in the range of 300 HP.

By the time they're done, the engine's output is up from 240 HP to 300 HP and the maximum torque from 310 Nm to 400 Nm. All of this conspires to raise the vehicle's power-to-weight ratio to a staggering 380 HP per ton, which is enough to catapult the diminutive X-BOW from zero to 62 mph in just 3.5 seconds. Which is 0.4 seconds faster than the stock model. This is an aftermarket upgrade that can be slapped onto any X-BOW model costs about €8,700, including VAT plus the cost of the install. And it even comes with a two-year warranty.

"This power upgrade will ensure that X-BOW owners seeking an even more extreme experience can do so in total confidence, building upon the quality assurance of the expert engineering and exquisite finish for which X-BOW is recognized," said KTM's X-BOW Manager for the UK Jeff Lau. He went on to add: "X-BOW's racecar-inspired chassis and sophisticated aerodynamic package have always given owners the ability to go head-to-head with some of the world's most exotic machinery,"

Sure, the looks of the X-BOW are not to everyone's' liking but who cares? With the grunt of a 60s vintage F1 car, you'll be the one laughing.

Source: CarScoop, photos from Flickr user exfordy.