As for motorcycle manufacturers entering into the car game, most would probably put bets down on Yamaha as the player most likely to make a go of it. After all, the Japanese brand has already built a supercar concept dubbed OX99-11, and on top of that it produces engines for Lexus, and designed and built Ford's SHO engines, as well as Volvo's current V8.
What's more, it makes everything from musical instruments to electronics. But as is often the case in the automotive world, what seems likely doesn't always take place. Instead, the Netherlands' KTM, building motorcycles since 1934, is building the X-Bow, a radical machine that's about as close to a motorcycle as any four-wheeler yet.
Interested buyers in North America might be pleasantly surprised to hear that the X-Bow has been slated for sale on this side of the Atlantic. KTM has announced plans to sell a street-legal version of the X-Bow in the U.S. (and we can only hope Canada is added to the list now that our bumper restrictions are to be unified with the U.S.), which contradicts the company's previous announcement that it would just be sold in Europe and Asia and be a track-only plaything.
Some aspects of the design will most likely change from today's X-Bow to tomorrow's street-ready machine, but the general look and open-air feel of the car is expected to carry over. This will be good news to the many interested parties vying for the opportunity to represent KTM with its new offering.
During an annual meeting of North American KTM motorcycle dealers in Salt Lake City, Utah, Hubert Trunkenpolz, head of sales and marketing was reportedly inundated with some 600-plus requests for the new X-Bow, so with dealers on board and an announcement made it certainly looks like a sure thing.
The one hitch in the deal could be Volkswagen. The German automaker supplies components to KTM for the X-Bow, although it allows similar deals with other brands that are even more competitive, such as Spyker's deal for Audi drivetrains, therefore KTM should get the go-ahead.
Trunkenpolz appeared positive that KTM would achieve VW's cooperation and get its X-Bow past North American regulators, saying that his company "will do whatever is possible to bring the car to the U.S. That, I promise."
So start saving your nickels, as this KTM looks like it'll be difficult for any car or motorcycle enthusiast to pass up.
