SPEED AND SIMPLICITY — INSIDE THE LONGBOW SPEEDSTER
The Longbow Speedster is a hand-built British electric sports car that weighs just 895 kg, produces around 300 hp, and is limited to 150 units. Developed by Longbow Motorcar Company, a UK startup founded by former Tesla and Lucid engineers, it is one of the lightest electric vehicles ever created and represents a deliberate rejection of the heavy, tech-laden EV mainstream.
Why Is the Longbow Speedster So Significant?
Most electric sports cars face the same fundamental problem: batteries are heavy. The engineering challenge of making an EV feel agile and driver-focused rather than merely fast is one that very few manufacturers have addressed with the seriousness Longbow brings to it. At 895 kg, the Speedster is lighter than a Lotus Elise and a fraction of the weight of most current electric performance cars. The 300 hp rear-mounted motor delivers a 0 to 62 mph time of approximately 3.5 seconds alongside a claimed range of 275 miles, a combination that was previously impossible in a car this light. The aluminium chassis and module-to-chassis battery integration (where the battery structure contributes to chassis rigidity rather than sitting inside a separate enclosure) are central to achieving that weight target.
Specifications and Production Details
Longbow designed and engineers every component of the Speedster in the UK, with hand assembly at a dedicated facility. The open-top two-seat layout prioritises driver sensation over convenience: there is no heavy infotainment stack, no elaborate driver assistance systems that add kilos and complexity, and no compromise on the fundamental feel of the steering, brakes, and suspension. Pricing starts from 84,995 pounds, positioning the Speedster between the Lotus Emira and entry-level Porsche 718 GT4 RS in market terms, though its weight advantage and electric powertrain place it in a category of its own. Production of the first 150 units is scheduled for 2026, with a Roadster coupe variant to follow in 2027. Both founders, Daniel Davey and Mark Tapscott, bring direct experience from scaling electric vehicle programmes at major manufacturers, lending credibility to Longbow's production timeline.
What the Speedster Says About the Future of Electric Sports Cars
The Longbow Speedster is not trying to be the fastest electric car in a straight line. It is trying to be the most satisfying electric car to drive on a winding road, a distinction that matters enormously to enthusiasts who have grown frustrated watching the sports car segment drift toward heavier, more powerful, and less engaging machines. By committing to hand-building a limited number of genuinely lightweight open-top electric roadsters, Longbow is occupying a space that the large manufacturers have essentially abandoned in the electric era. The Speedster's success or failure will be a useful indicator of whether the market for analogue-feeling, driver-focused electric cars is large enough to sustain a dedicated manufacturer at this price point.
TheArsenale curates the world's most compelling electric vehicles and sports cars for discerning buyers. Explore our collection of luxury and performance Cars for machines that share the Speedster's driver-first philosophy. The Apex electric sports cars offer another vision of lightweight electric performance, while our broader TheArsenale Cars selection spans the full spectrum of automotive ambition. Further reading: New Atlas on the Longbow Speedster reveal and Top Gear's coverage of Longbow's philosophy and roadster plans.
Photo: LONGBOW
