A new British EV brand led by former Tesla and Lucid executives is planning to launch super-light electric sports cars weighing under one tonne.
Longbow has unveiled plans for an electric coupe and roadster that will offer sub-four-second 0-62mph acceleration times while maintaining weights below 1,000kg.
The vehicles, dubbed ‘Featherweight Electric Vehicles,’ will be built in the UK on purpose-designed architecture. The Longbow Speedster and Roadster aim to recreate the driving experience of iconic cars like the Lotus Elise and Jaguar E-Type.
Both two-seaters share an aluminum chassis that enables them to be “light, nimble, balanced, and engineered for an unparalleled driving experience,” according to the company.
The lightweight construction allows for smaller motors and batteries while still delivering sports car performance.
While specific powertrain details remain undisclosed, Longbow claims its “state-of-the-art” system will provide up to 275 miles of range.
The 875kg Roadster will accelerate from 0-62mph in just 3.5 seconds.
In an unusual naming convention, the Roadster will be a hard-top two-seater, while the 995kg Speedster will be the open-top model with a 0-62mph time of 3.6 seconds.
Production will be limited to 150 hand-built units of each model. Pricing starts at £64,995 for the Roadster and £84,995 for the Speedster, with several even more limited special editions planned.
Longbow’s founding team includes Daniel Davey, Mark Tapscott, and Jenny Keisu—all with experience at EV manufacturers Tesla, Lucid, and BYD, as well as in the electric marine sector.
“Amidst the e-mobility revolution, we have lost something important. Many modern ‘sportscars’ tip the scales at 1,500kg and BEVs can reach almost double that,” said Daniel Davey when announcing the new brand.
“There is a need for a more driver-oriented, featherweight, electric sportscar – one that is attainable and accessible, for those who love driving and the places it takes them. That is why we have created Longbow.”
Davey added: “Our first two cars, Speedster and Roadster embody everything a modern driver’s car should be: agile, balanced, electric, and exhilarating. We are reviving an icon, the lightweight British sports car.”
