KTM Reveals the X-Bow Arrow to Rival the Ariel Nomad
KTM has revealed the X-Bow Arrow, an off-road buggy in rally-raid style that takes on the Ariel Nomad. It uses a Volkswagen Group 2.0-litre turbo engine with up to 243 kW (326 hp), and US prices start at US$59,800 in 2026, Auto Express reported on 10 November. First deliveries are planned for late 2027.
Key takeaways
- Two versions: Arrow with 206 kW (276 hp) and Arrow Black with 243 kW (326 hp).
- Tubular steel frame instead of the carbon-fibre tub used by other X-Bow models.
- KW dampers with 600 mm of suspension travel and tyres up to 35 inches tall.
- US prices from US$59,800 for the Arrow and US$98,600 for the Arrow Black (2026).
A different kind of X-Bow
The Arrow breaks with the recipe of the road and track cars that carry the KTM X-Bow name. Those are built around a carbon-fibre monocoque, while the Arrow sits on a tubular steel structure. A KTM spokesperson told Auto Express that the car was "designed first and foremost for off-road driving". The X-Bow name already has a rally-raid link: Belgium's G Rally Team builds an X-Bow-branded side-by-side for the World Rally-Raid Championship, with two crews entered for the 2026 Dakar Rally.
Engine, suspension and weight
Both versions use the EA888 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder, familiar from Volkswagen and Audi models, with a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. Double wishbones at each corner carry KW dampers with 600 mm of travel. The standard Arrow has three-way manually adjustable dampers, 15-inch wheels and 32-inch Maxxis RAZR XT tyres. The Arrow Black adds electronically adjusted dampers, an active anti-roll bar system, hydraulic bump stops and 35-inch tyres on beadlock wheels, which keep the tyre seated on the rim at very low pressures.
| Version | Power | Weight | US price (2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
| X-Bow Arrow | 206 kW (276 hp) | about 1,000 kg | US$59,800 |
| X-Bow Arrow Black | 243 kW (326 hp) | 1,100 kg | US$98,600 |
The extra 100 kg on the Black comes largely from its standard winch. Equipment is basic but not spartan, with USB-C sockets, a reversing camera and a sound system.
How it compares with the Ariel Nomad
The Arrow is a much heavier machine than its obvious British rival. The Ariel Nomad weighs about 700 kg, so even the base KTM carries roughly 300 kg more. Auto Express still framed the Arrow as an unexpected rival to the Nomad, the benchmark for small, fast off-road buggies. The broader story of the Somerset maker behind the Nomad is told in the history of Ariel.
What it means for buyers
KTM plans to ship the Arrow worldwide, with first cars due in late 2027. Whether it can be registered for road use depends on the country, and in the US on the state, so European buyers should check local rules before placing a deposit. No euro prices have been announced. Other X-Bow models are listed in the KTM catalogue.
Sources
- Auto Express: KTM X-Bow Arrow arrives as unexpected Ariel Nomad rival (10 Nov 2026) (accessed 12 Nov 2026)
- RideApart: This KTM Supercar-Powered Side-By-Side Was Built For Racing, and It's Truly Wild (accessed 12 Nov 2026)
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