Beefy batteries and electrical motors aren’t one of the best for constructing a traditional, light-weight British sports activities automobile, however a brand new firm needs to provide it the ol’ faculty strive. It is referred to as Longbow, and if every part goes in line with plan, two “featherweight electrical autos” referred to as the Speedster and Roadster will hit the UK in 2026.

What precisely constitutes a “featherweight” sports activities automobile? In accordance with the corporate’s press launch, the vehicles will weigh lower than 2,200 kilos (or, 1,000 kilograms). That is nonetheless a number of hundred kilos greater than a Lotus Elise, however in a world the place a BMW M5 weighs 2.5 tons, it is an admirable goal for one thing totally electrical. And really, the no-roof Longbow Speedster will goal 1,973 lbs (895 kg) when it goes on sale. The Roadster, which paradoxically is not a roadster by definition as a result of its mounted roof, might be a few hundred kilos heavier.

Picture by: Longbow

Picture by: Longbow

The muse for these EVs might be a light-weight aluminum chassis developed in-house. Compact electrical motors and batteries will propel every automobile to 60 miles per hour in lower than 4 seconds. Vary is estimated to be 275 miles utilizing the WLTP scale. Beginning costs are ₤84,995 for the Speedster and ₤64,995 for the Roadster. That is roughly $85,000 to $110,000 with present alternate charges, so it will not be cheap. All might be hand-built, with 150 of every mannequin deliberate for manufacturing. It is unknown if Longbow will provide the automobile to US consumers.

Particulars of the powertrain are additionally unknown. For that matter, particulars on every part are scarce. Right now, the Speedster and Roadster are nonetheless in improvement. We have definitely seen quite a lot of EV (and non-EV) startups come and go in recent times, however Longbow’s three co-founders are optimistic {that a} market exists for small, gentle, electrical sports activities vehicles.

And so they aren’t with out expertise within the automotive—and notably the EV—sector. Daniel Davey began at Tesla in its early days and finally returned to the corporate for the Mannequin 3 launch. Mark Tapscott additionally has Tesla expertise together with stints at Lucid and BYD, and earlier than that, he labored his engineering expertise on the Lotus Elise. Jenny Keisu brings enterprise and management expertise to the corporate, notably as the previous CEO of electrical boat producer X Shore.

Picture by: Longbow

Longbow Speedster And Roadster

“Amidst the e-mobility revolution, we have now misplaced one thing necessary,” stated Davey, who serves as Longbow’s CEO. “Many trendy ‘sports activities vehicles’ tip the scales at 1,500 kilograms and BEVs can attain virtually double that. There’s a want for a extra driver-oriented, featherweight, electrical sports activities automobile—one that’s attainable and accessible, for many who love driving and the locations it takes them. That’s the reason we have now created Longbow.”

Will Longbow succeed the place different startups have failed? We’ll have to attend and see.

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Longbow