KTM X-Bow Put a 330-HP Audi Engine in a $98,600 Side-by-Side

Side-by-sides currently dominate off-road parks, and manufacturers continue pushing the limits of factory performance. KTM X-Bow, the division responsible for the aggressive GTX track car, is officially entering the UTV space. Their new runabout, dubbed the Arrow, is designed to shatter expectations by offering genuine sports car levels of horsepower in a dirt-ready package.

While KTM AG has a long history with recreational dirt bikes, this new project is entirely developed by the four-wheel specialists at KTM X-Bow. For buyers looking beyond the upcoming road version of their circuit vehicles, the Arrow provides a different kind of adrenaline. The pricing is undeniably steep, starting at $59,800 for the base model, while the flagship Arrow Black Limited Edition demands $98,600.

Buggy with Supercar Performance

Both versions of the Arrow are equipped with a Volkswagen Group EA888 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. This proven hardware, typically found in an Audi S3, is heavily adapted for recreational off-roading. The base Arrow delivers 280 horsepower, while the Black Limited Edition cranks that figure up to 330 horsepower, easily overpowering the 275-horsepower Polaris factory racer that previously held the performance UTV crown.

To justify the steep price gap, the $98,600 flagship model adds electronically adjustable dampers, premium carbon fiber bodywork, and a limited-slip rear differential with a handbrake disconnect system. It also rolls on 35-inch Maxxis RAZR XT tires wrapped around 15-inch beadlock wheels. Despite these heavy-duty components, the Arrow maintains a highly competitive footprint with a 114.1-inch wheelbase and a selectable four-wheel-drive system, boasting weight advantages over direct rivals to maximize its turbocharged output.

Hardware Highlights

Next Level Recreational Runabouts

The recreational off-road segment is heating up, and legacy brands are proving they can engineer wild machines with four wheels. With only 500 units of the Black Limited Edition scheduled for production, these highly exclusive UTVs are aimed directly at wealthy enthusiasts who want the fastest rig available right off the showroom floor.

While dropping nearly six figures on an ATV sounds absurd, the engineering behind the Arrow makes a compelling argument. Putting a proven Audi engine and dual-clutch transmission into a lightweight carbon-clad chassis is a recipe for pure weekend tomfoolery. If KTM X-Bow can translate their track dynamics to the dirt, the Arrow will dominate the off-road landscape.