KTM X-Bow - Bit like the Ariel Atom

[iGav]

The important bits...

• 700kg
• 220hp
• Carbon Fibre Monocoque
• 0-62 in 3.9 Seconds
• Arse Spanking Aesthetics

Well, bend me over and call me Susan.

 

[bartelby]

It is rather jaw dropping isn't it!

VW FSI engine and transmission too

 

[iGav]

It is rather jaw dropping isn't it!

More so if it wasn't for the orange.

VW FSI engine and transmission too

I just noticed that DSG was a future option. That's exactly what a car like this needs. None of that clutch sh*t.

And it's just begging for Audi's 4.2 V8 too.

 

[bartelby]

And it's just begging for Audi's 4.2 V8 too.

Talking of light cars and silly engines.

I've always fancied a Westfield with a Ducati engine (or 2)

 

[TheDance511]

Talking of light cars and silly engines.

I've always fancied a Westfield with a Ducati engine (or 2)

ducati 1098

 

[NightFlight]

I just noticed that DSG was a future option. That's exactly what a car like this needs. None of that clutch sh*t.

And it's just begging for Audi's 4.2 V8 too.

You wouldn't want such a heavy engine in a car like that.

While the DSG is certainly faster, nothing beats the joy of a manual


Anyway, Atom>this thing.

I'd take a 300hp supercharged Honda K20 over a VW motor any day of the week!!!

 

[adroit]

I'd take a 300hp supercharged Honda K20 over a VW motor any day of the week!!!

Funny, I was about to say the exact opposite

 

[DeepIn2U]

More so if it wasn't for the orange.



I just noticed that DSG was a future option. That's exactly what a car like this needs. None of that clutch sh*t.

And it's just begging for Audi's 4.2 V8 too.

hehe, were do you think that DSG technology came from

Audi currently is the development arm of Audi Union (Audi, Porsche, VW)

 

[Abstract]

Does it come with an MP3 CD player? That's a make or break for me.

If it doesn't, they just lost a customer!!

 

[bartelby]

ducati 1098

Or the Desmosedici!

Does it come with an MP3 CD player? That's a make or break for me.

If it doesn't, they just lost a customer!!

I saw a tv program the other day and some guy owned a Maclaren F1. He'd had some custom work done to it. There was an intercom system because "the engine noise is really loud and makes taking to passengers nearly impossible". There was also a 160GB in-dash MP3 player, I found the two being fitted to be slightly confusing...

 

[combatcolin]

Pretty certain the intercom is standard equipment.

Fondle the accelerator and people can hear you in the next town!

 

[Markleshark]

It's a horrible looking machine... TBH

 

[iGav]

You wouldn't want such a heavy engine in a car like that.

I would. I'd trade a little weight, in favour of a more tractable engine (and of course more noise).

It's mid-engined, so balance isn't exactly going to be much of a problem really is it.

nothing beats the joy of a manual

Manual. *yawns*.

Grandma's drive manuals.

While the DSG is certainly faster

Not just faster... DSG means mid-corner gear changes without disrupting the balance, DSG means the ability to focus on positioning and balancing the car on the throttle and brakes, DSG means constant left foot breaking and of course as you say, DSG means more sustained acceleration.

As I said, grandma's drive manuals, DSG's (and the like) allow you take your driving to a completely different level.

I'd take a 300hp supercharged Honda K20 over a VW motor any day of the week!!!

You have to supercharge it, the standard K20's...

 

[combatcolin]

Grandma's drive manuals?



Oh dear.

 

[iGav]

Grandma's drive manuals?



Oh dear.

My point being that it's not really rocket science to drive one, I always get the impression that some see being able to drive a 'stick' as some defining benchmark of being a real driver, or that a manual car is the automotive purity.

It's not.

It never was.

It was just a small part of the technological progress of the car.

And technology like DSG has replaced it in the echelon.

 

[combatcolin]

Maybe its the cultural difference between Europe and America, but in Europe an automatic is very much seen as a device used by people who aren't that interested in cars.

Manual is just a lot, lot more fun.

(Apart from London between the hours of 7am - 7pm and then its bloody horrid!)

 

[®îçhå®?]

Still prefer the Ato and it goes from 0-60mph faster

 

[Airforce]

looks like an oversized go-kart haha...

 

[Swarmlord]

My point being that it's not really rocket science to drive one, I always get the impression that some see being able to drive a 'stick' as some defining benchmark of being a real driver, or that a manual car is the automotive purity.

It's not.

It never was.

It was just a small part of the technological progress of the car.

And technology like DSG has replaced it in the echelon.

I think that people should learn to drive a stick to demonstrate proper driving techniques to get their licenses. For too many an automatic just frees up a hand to use the cell phone or apply makeup.

 

[SpookTheHamster]

Manual is nothing to do with how difficult it is, it's about the connection.

There's something extremely satisfying about a car that has a nice feeling gearchange, which can't be replicated with a button.

That said, I don't know many grannies that heel-toe to match the revs just so.

 

[NightFlight]

My point being that it's not really rocket science to drive one, I always get the impression that some see being able to drive a 'stick' as some defining benchmark of being a real driver, or that a manual car is the automotive purity.

It's not.

It never was.

It was just a small part of the technological progress of the car.

And technology like DSG has replaced it in the echelon.

You don't do any track driving do you???

Like spook said, there is nothing more satisfying than executing a perfect heel toe and hammering it out of a corner. Not the same with a DSG/SMG/whatever....

 

[iGav]

Maybe its the cultural difference between Europe and America, but in Europe an automatic is very much seen as a device used by people who aren't that interested in cars.

Manual is just a lot, lot more fun.

DSG's (SMG's etc) ARE manual gearboxes.

(Apart from London between the hours of 7am - 7pm and then its bloody horrid!)

Agree with you there. *shudders at the prospect of inching through Green Park at 6pm*

looks like an oversized go-kart haha...

The front end does doesn't it. I thought that the first time too. Weheh.

Also reminds me of a more contemporary (and extreme) execution of the Renault Spyder.

Manual is nothing to do with how difficult it is, it's about the connection.

There's something extremely satisfying about a car that has a nice feeling gearchange, which can't be replicated with a button.

It's that purity thing again. That only a manual gearbox can provide the fabled connection.

So, by the same criteria...

"There's something extremely satisfying about a car that has a nice feeling unsynchronised gearchange"

"There's something extremely satisfying about a car that has a nice feeling of cable fed, unassisted brakes"

"There's something extremely satisfying about a car that has a nice feeling of unassisted steering"

"There's something extremely satisfying about a car that has a nice feeling of cross-ply tyres"

All the above are of course true... in their respect era's of course.

You don't do any track driving do you???

I do actually.

there is nothing more satisfying than executing a perfect heel toe and hammering it out of a corner.

I disagree.

I think having the ability to be able to brake incredibly late into a corner, whilst maintaining the ability to down/upshift whilst balancing the car on both the throttle and brake simultaneously to counteract any under/oversteer throughout the whole corner is more satisfying, if not more challenging myself.

Though that's not to suggest that heel-n-toeing isn't satisfying of course.

Not the same with a DSG/SMG/whatever....

It's not.

And it's not supposed to be.

The same way it'd be folly to suggest that it's more satisfying to heel-n-toe a synchromeshed gearbox over a crash one for example.

 

[SpookTheHamster]

Now you mention it, I love unassisted steering! My 1502 (sig) is unassisted, you can feel everything a lot better.

To me, driving is more about feeling than speed. Cars like the SLR (just an example) are amazingly quick, but they just don't get me going, all the technology waters down the experience.

A car like the Renault Spyder, or an Elise or Caterham is much more my thing.

 

[bartelby]

It's a horrible looking machine... TBH

I think is really nice. The profile is stunning!

 

[Abstract]

...I always get the impression that some see being able to drive a 'stick' as some defining benchmark of being a real driver...

Only if you're from North America. For everyone else, it's just normal, typical of every driver.

I think that people should learn to drive a stick to demonstrate proper driving techniques to get their licenses. For too many an automatic just frees up a hand to use the cell phone or apply makeup.

Or eat a burger. *cough*