A new startup has emerged to take on the challenge of developing a lightweight electric sports car.
U.K.-based Longbow on Wednesday provided the first details on its open-top Speedster and Roadster coupe, both of which it hopes to launch in 2026. It also confirmed the opening of reservations for both models in the U.K. (other markets weren’t discussed), where they’ll also be built.
The pair of two-seat sports cars are based on an aluminum chassis developed by Longbow with the aim of keeping weight to a minimum, in the spirit of classic small British sports cars. The targeted curb weight is just 2,200 pounds—featherweight for any car, especially a modern EV.
Longbow Roadster
The Speedster is scheduled to arrive first and targets a 0-62 mph time of 3.5 seconds, while the Roadster is estimated to do the same run in 3.6 seconds. Longbow expects 275 miles of WLTP range for the Roadster and 280 miles for the Speedster; equivalent EPA numbers would be somewhat lower.
Prices start at 84,995 British pounds (approximately $110,200 at current exchange rates) for the Speedster and 64,995 British pounds ($84,300) for the Roadster. Longbow plans to limit Speedster production to just 150 units, with a larger, undisclosed production run for the Roadster. The first examples of both models will be Luminary 1st Edition and Autograph Edition specials.
Longbow Speedster
Founded in 2023, Longbow is led by Jenny Keisu, whose background is in the private equity industry, and Daniel Davey and Mark Tapscott, who both claim some auto industry experience. Davey did two stints at Tesla, the first back in 2010 during the time of the original Roadster sports car, and was also the first Lucid employee based outside the U.S. Tapscott has worked at both automakers, as well as BYD.
Longbow isn’t the only British company developing a back-to-basics sports car with an electric powertrain. Caterham—known for the minimalist Seven—unveiled its Project V concept in 2023, and last year confirmed that it was working with Yamaha to develop a production version. The Project V’s quoted weight of just over 2,600 pounds is a bit heavier than what Longbow is aiming for, but perhaps the Caterham will also be a bit less expensive than Longbow’s sports cars.