Motorbike maker KTM has confirmed that it will make its entry into the four-wheeled world next year, and these are the first pictures of the car it'll be offering - the wild-looking, mid-engined, two-seater X-Bow.

The car will be unveiled at Geneva in March, built in conjunction with Audi and Dallara, the leading maker of formula racing cars, the X-Bow (pronounced Crossbow) weighs under 700kg and has 220bhp in standard trim. And it could cost as little as €40,000 (£26,000).

Audi has supplied the engine (a 2.0-litre TFSI turbo that will be available with an optional 320bhp) and the gearbox; Dallara has designed and built the car’s carbonfibre monocoque.

The Crossbow has been styled by Gerald Kiska, responsible for the look of KTM’s bikes. Early speculative drawings showed it with a full-width windscreen. The Geneva car, however, as revealed in these preview sketches, has no screen and occupants have to wear crash helmets.

KTM has fitted the engine well ahead of the rear axle in order to improve weight distribution. Dallara has made use of its extensive racing knowledge to develop the car’s aerodyamics, and as a result the car features a large F1-style rear diffuser and side radiators.

If reaction to the car at Geneva is positive, KTM will consider extending the Crossbow’s production run from 100 to 500 units for next year. It’s talking to Magna Steyr, who builds the X3 for BMW, about production, and a UK dealership is planned.