British electric car startup Longbow is on a mission to redefine performance EVs through the principles of lightness and simplicity. The company was founded by two former Tesla engineers, Daniel Davy and Mark Tapscott, along with the former CEO of an electric boat company and several other experienced industry figures. Their shared goal is to deliver an electric sports car experience that focuses on performance through minimalism, echoing the famous design philosophy of Colin Chapman, the founder of Lotus: “Simplify and add lightness.”
In pursuit of that vision, Longbow has unveiled its first working prototype — a dynamic demonstrator based on its open-top Speedster model. The Speedster, and its upcoming closed-roof sibling called the Roadster, are both designed to achieve exceptional speed and agility without the heavy compromises that plague many electric vehicles. Longbow has coined a new term for this class of car: the “Featherweight Electric Vehicle” (FEV). This title is well earned, as the Speedster tips the scales at just 895 kilograms, making it one of the lightest electric cars ever built.
Despite its lightweight construction, performance figures are highly impressive. The production Speedster is expected to accelerate from 0–100 km/h in 3.5 seconds while offering a driving range of 275 miles (WLTP). Pricing will start at approximately $111,732, while the upcoming Roadster, which features a roof for added practicality, will begin at around $85,438. These figures place the Longbow models in direct competition with some of the best-known electric sports cars, yet they stand out by focusing on lightness and driving engagement rather than sheer size or battery capacity.
Technically, the Speedster uses a bespoke aluminum chassis combined with a “module-to-chassis” battery design that enhances rigidity while reducing overall mass. The electric motor is compact yet powerful, and every part of the car has been engineered from scratch, rather than adapted from existing models. Longbow describes the Speedster as a “spiritual successor” to iconic lightweight performance cars such as the Lotus Elise and Jaguar E-Type.
The Aesthetic Dynamic Demonstrator prototype was recently revealed in London to a select audience of early customers and partners, with first deliveries scheduled for 2026. The company hopes this development phase will validate its engineering before entering full production.
Adding further credibility to its ambitious project, Longbow has attracted several prominent automotive leaders to its advisory board, including former McLaren CEO Mike Flewitt, ex-Lotus Europe chief Dan Balmer, and Michael van der Sande, who previously held senior roles at Lucid Motors, Jaguar Land Rover, and Alpine. With this team of seasoned experts, Longbow appears well positioned to challenge industry giants — and perhaps even overshadow Tesla’s long-delayed Roadster, which may not reach production until 2027.
If Longbow succeeds, it could prove that the future of electric performance doesn’t have to be heavy — just brilliantly engineered.