What's the news?

KTM has produced a 'Grand Tourer' version of its X-Bow sports car, but don't worry, the hardcore machine has not been watered down. The GT version sports a windscreen, doors and... em... that's it.

Exterior

With no windscreen or side windows the X-Bow has always been either a track toy or fair weather cruiser but with the GT additions it could now be used more regularly. Or at least that is the theory, for while the X-Bow GT sports a heated windscreen and side windows that double as doors, it is still sans roof. Actually that is not quite true - there is a fabric roof supplied, called a 'Coming Home Device', but as it eats into the X-Bow's already meagre storage space it is more likely to be left in the garage than actually fitted to the car.

Interior

KTM is almost being tongue in cheek about the GT badge (a name that normally invokes images of traversing continents complete with the luggage required for such a trip) by offering a tailor-made luggage system that fits into the X-Bow's tiny storage spaces. It is unlikely to suffice for a two-week jaunt to St Tropez but will work for shorter journeys. The big change inside the X-Bow GT (other than the fact that you are now surrounded by glass) is the inclusion of switches for windscreen wiper, washers and heating system on the centre console.

Mechanicals

Based on the X-Bow R the GT model packs a 285hp 2.0-litre Audi TFSI engine that can propel the carbon fibre machine from 0-62mph in 4.1 seconds and on to a top speed of 145mph if you are brave enough. At least in the GT you will not have to worry about being splattered by bugs at top speed.

Anything else?

We await official word on pricing for the X-Bow GT but, considering the standard X-Bow R commands a £64,850 price tag, north of £70,000 seems likely.

Paul Healy - 7 Mar 2013