What do you get if you put a tuned Audi S3 engine into a car that weighs less than your Sunday lunch? You get the KTM X-Bow R.

There are no official performance numbers yet, but this X-Bow might win a 50-yard race with an arrow fired from an actual crossbow. It's got 300bhp, and the engine is placed lower in the chassis to the benefit the centre of gravity and hence of cornering speed.

A number of performance enhancing changes will accompany the engine transplant, though we're not told what they are yet. We do know, however, that they'll be available as aftermarket parts for existing X-Bows.

The R will come in two flavours, named Sport and Race, the latter revoking the car's road legal status meaning it's for track days only. Expect uprated suspension and brakes at the very least, and perhaps further shaving of weight.

We'll give you more information when KTM is forthcoming.

Mark Nichol - 28 Sep 2010