A New Lightweight Electric Sports Car on the Horizon
A new startup has emerged to take on the challenge of developing a lightweight electric sports car.
U.K.-based Longbow recently unveiled its open-top Speedster and Roadster coupe models, set to hit the market in 2026. Reservations for these models are now open in the U.K., where they will also be manufactured.
Both the Speedster and Roadster are designed on an aluminum chassis by Longbow, with a focus on minimizing weight similar to classic British sports cars. The target curb weight for these models is an impressive 2,200 pounds, making them one of the lightest modern EVs on the market.
Longbow Roadster
The Speedster is expected to achieve a 0-62 mph time of 3.5 seconds, while the Roadster aims for 3.6 seconds. Longbow also anticipates a range of 275 miles for the Roadster and 280 miles for the Speedster under WLTP standards.
Pricing for the Speedster starts at 84,995 British pounds ($110,200), while the Roadster is priced at 64,995 British pounds ($84,300). Production of the Speedster is limited to 150 units, with a larger production run planned for the Roadster. The initial models will be offered as Luminary 1st Edition and Autograph Edition specials.
Longbow Speedster
Longbow, founded in 2023, is spearheaded by Jenny Keisu with a background in private equity, along with Daniel Davey and Mark Tapscott who have experience in the auto industry. Tapscott has worked with automakers like Tesla and BYD, while Davey has prior experience at Tesla and Lucid.
Longbow joins the ranks of British companies developing electric sports cars, with Caterham also in the mix with its Project V concept. While Longbow aims for lightweight performance, Caterham’s Project V offers a different perspective with potential cost advantages.