Anybody who spends time at the off-road park will tell you that side-by-sides are everywhere. And not only are they growing in popularity, but they’re also better performers than ever. We’re talking about four-wheeling machines that run truck-sized all-terrains and big ol’ turbochargers to make sports car levels of horsepower. The market is too hot for manufacturers to stay out of it, which explains why KTM is launching a UTV of its own. It’s called the X-Bow Arrow, and it runs a boosted 2.0-liter four-cylinder with up to 330 hp, making it the most powerful production side-by-side ever.
KTM has a ton of experience with recreational off-roaders, from motocross bikes and enduros to adventure models and dual sports. It even manufactured a few quad models back in the late 2000s, so the X-Bow Arrow isn’t entirely unprecedented in that sense. What makes it noteworthy is its insane engine output.
The powertrain consists of a Volkswagen Group EA888 four-cylinder and a seven-speed, dual-clutch automatic. Essentially, it’s what you’d find in a VW Golf R or Audi S3. KTM is selling it in two states of tune: A base model with 280 hp and an Arrow Black Limited Edition with 330 hp. Either way, the Arrow makes more power than the previous king of the hill, the 275-hp Polaris RZR Pro R Boost. (For what it’s worth, I just drove one of those in the Southern Utah sand, and it’s a riot. I can hardly imagine what this will be like.)
There are quite a few differences between the base Arrow and the Arrow Black Limited Edition to make it worth the leap. For example, the latter has electronically adjustable dampers with hydraulic bump stops, while the former makes do with manually adjustable three-way dampers. The Arrow Black Limited Edition also gets 35-inch Maxxis RAZR XT tires instead of 32s like the base model, and they’re wrapped around 15-inch beadlocks. Then, there’s the 4,500-pound winch up front; the carbon fiber bodywork around the cage; and the limited-slip rear differential with a disconnect system so drivers can use the massive handbrake that’s pictured here.
But no matter which Arrow model you’re looking at, it has selectable four-wheel drive with a limited-slip front diff—no locker—as well as electronic power steering, double-wishbone suspension, and a 114.1-inch wheelbase. It seems like KTM will only build these in two-seater spec; at least, from the start.
Practically all of the KTM’s stats are impressive. Its weight is lower than the competition, coming in at 2,202 pounds and 2,425 pounds dry on the base and Arrow Black Limited Editions, respectively; meanwhile, the RZR Pro R Boost tips the scales at 2,531 pounds. Max ground clearance has a slight edge over the Polaris as well, at 16.93 inches compared to its rival’s 16 inches flat. One area where the KTM is at a disadvantage is wheel travel, as it caps out at 23.62 inches, while the RZR Pro R Boost manages 24.5 inches, with a max usable travel of 29 inches.
I’m excited to see how all of these numbers translate to real-world experience. For now, all we can do is bench race. KTM has a rep for exceptional riding dynamics, so a big part of me believes it’ll drive well enough to back up the promises made by the specs. And one thing you can bet on for sure: It won’t be cheap.
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