Longbow Speedster and Roadster: A New Era of Lightweight Electric Sports Cars

British automaker Longbow introduces Speedster and Roadster, redefining electric sports cars with a lightweight design and agile performance. Discover their specs, range, and pricing.

In the world of electric vehicles, "lightweight" is rarely a defining feature. Modern sports cars, especially EVs, often exceed 1.5 tons, with some approaching the 2-ton mark. However, Longbow, a British automaker, is challenging this trend and bringing back the thrill of pure driving. Their latest creations – Speedster and Roadster – introduce an entirely new category: the Featherweight Electric Vehicle (FEV), where the focus is on minimal weight, maximum agility, and pure driving pleasure.

Longbow positions the Speedster and Roadster as the spiritual successors of legendary Lotus Elise and Jaguar E-Type, blending classic lightweight philosophy with a modern electric drivetrain. Both cars are built on a bespoke aluminum chassis, ensuring structural rigidity while keeping weight to a minimum.

The Speedster is a fully open-top sports car, weighing just 895 kg and accelerating from 0 to 62 mph in 3.5 seconds. It has a WLTP range of 275 miles (442 km), with prices starting at £84,995. Production is limited to 150 units.

The Roadster, featuring a closed cockpit, is slightly heavier at 995 kg, with a 0-62 mph time of 3.6 seconds. It’s also more affordable, starting at £64,995, with a production run of 150 units.

Longbow’s vehicles are hand-built in the UK, tapping into world-class engineering expertise from Formula 1 and Formula E.

The company was founded by Daniel Davey, Jenny Keisu, and Mark Tapscott, all veterans of the EV and performance car industry. Davey and Tapscott were involved in the original Tesla Roadster, as well as projects with Lucid Motors and BYD. Keisu, a prominent figure in electric mobility, previously led X Shore, a pioneering electric boat company.

By creating the FEV category, Longbow is redefining what an electric sports car can be. While most manufacturers chase bigger batteries and more horsepower, Longbow focuses on balance, agility, and the joy of driving.

Co-founder Mark Tapscott emphasizes that Longbow is returning to the roots of sports car design, highlighting that a true sports car should be light, responsive, and exhilarating. He notes that EVs are not solely about speed but also offer a level of dynamic control that combustion engines cannot achieve.

The Speedster is available for pre-order, with the Roadster following soon after. Limited production numbers mean these cars are not just vehicles – they’re future collector’s items.

Will Longbow’s bold vision succeed? Only time will tell. But one thing is clear: lightweight electric sports cars are back, and they’re more exciting than ever.

Source: electriccarsreport.com