British electric sportscar startup Longbow has unveiled two ultra-lightweight models, the Speedster and Roadster, as it aims to carve out a niche in the high-performance electric vehicle segment.
Both vehicles weigh under 995 kg and offer a stated range of 442 km (275 miles). Longbow, founded by former executives from Tesla and Lucid, describes its creations as “the world’s first Featherweight Electric Vehicles” (FEVs), drawing inspiration from classic British sportscars such as the Lotus Elise and Jaguar E-Type.
“Many modern ‘sportscars’ tip the scales at 1500kg and BEVs can reach almost double that,” said Longbow CEO and co-founder Daniel Davey. “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.”
While technical specifications, including battery capacity and drivetrain power, have yet to be confirmed, the open-top Speedster weighs 895 kg and accelerates from 0-100 kph in 3.5 seconds, with a starting price of approximately €101,250 (£84,995). The Roadster, a coupé variant, weighs 995 kg, achieves 0-100 kph in 3.6 seconds, and is available from €77,400 (£64,995).
Longbow has also introduced limited-edition variants—the Luminary 1st Edition and the Autograph Edition. The company will produce only 10 and 25 units of the Speedster in these trims, respectively, while 50 Luminary and 100 Autograph editions of the Roadster will be made available. The Luminary Edition starts at approximately €150,000 (£125,000).
Longbow states that its vehicles are designed, engineered, and hand-built in the UK, with suppliers that include high-performance Formula E teams. However, despite the company’s emphasis on accessibility, the premium pricing may determine how attainable these models prove to be for driving enthusiasts.
