Former Tesla employees to build an 895 kg electric sports car
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British start-up Longbow will begin production of its electric Speedster in Warwickshire in 2027. Its founders, whose backgrounds include Tesla, Lucid and BYD, aim to build an electric car that weighs just 895 kg rather than countering its mass with a bigger battery.
Speedster weighs less than most petrol-powered sports cars
The Longbow Speedster uses a platform designed specifically for lightweight electric sports cars. Its target weight is 895 kg, exceptionally low for an electric car.
Acceleration from 0–100 km/h takes 3.5 seconds, while the manufacturer quotes an estimated WLTP range of 442 km.
The electrical system operates at 800 V, and the battery's pack-level energy density exceeds 220 Wh/kg, according to the manufacturer.
The chassis features double-wishbone suspension front and rear, coilover dampers and Pirelli P Zero tyres. Weight distribution is 45:55.
Production to begin at MIRA Tech Park
Longbow will hand-build the Speedster at MIRA Tech Park in Nuneaton.
The project received around €3.5 million in funding from a West Midlands fund, with Longbow contributing the same amount itself. The company promises to create more than 200 jobs.
The initial production run will comprise just 150 numbered Speedsters.
Prices start at around €100,000
The Speedster costs around €100,000 at the current exchange rate.
It will be followed into production by the closed-body Roadster, which weighs 995 kg, accelerates from 0–100 km/h in 3.6 seconds and has an estimated WLTP range of up to 451 km.
Roadster prices start at around €77,000.
Longbow aims to build an electric car in the spirit of Lotus
The company was founded by Daniel Davey and Mark Tapscott, who previously worked at Tesla and were involved in developing the first Roadster. They also have experience with Lucid and BYD.
Longbow contrasts its strategy with today's powerful electric cars, which often weigh more than two tonnes. A smaller battery, low weight and simpler construction should give the car better handling without four-figure power outputs.
In the European market, the Speedster occupies a largely empty niche. There are plenty of fast electric cars, but virtually no production models weighing less than a tonne.
