The Tesla Roadster hasn’t even arrived yet and already has an impossible rival. Meet the Longbow Speedster and its unbelievable weight of 895 kg.
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While the automotive world waits, with decreasing patience, for Elon Musk’s promised Tesla Roadster to launch, a movie-worthy twist happens behind the scenes. A group of “rebels,” formed precisely by former Tesla engineers, decided not to wait and has just introduced a weapon that targets the main weakness of modern electric cars: weight. Get ready to meet the Longbow Speedster, the car that could spoil Musk’s party before it even starts.
The Secret Is in the Weight: The “Anti-Tesla” Philosophy
The current landscape of electric vehicles (EVs) is dominated by impressive numbers of power and acceleration, but almost always accompanied by colossal weight. Even compact models easily surpass two tons. It was precisely against this trend that the British startup Longbow, founded by former Tesla engineers Daniel Davy and Mark Tapscott, declared war. Inspired by the legendary philosophy of Colin Chapman, from Lotus, to “simplify and add lightness”, they created what they call the first “Featherweight Electric Vehicle” (FEV), or Lightweight Electric Vehicle.
The result is simply shocking: the Longbow Speedster weighs only 895 kg. To put it in perspective, that’s less than half the weight of many performance EVs. According to the company, “weight invites complexity, blinds agility, and dulls the senses.” This approach is a direct attack on the strategy of adding ever-larger (and heavier) batteries to achieve range, a common practice in the market. Longbow proves that it is possible to have an agile, fun, and efficient electric without carrying the weight of an SUV. With this philosophy, they create a machine that, in theory, offers a more pure and connected driving experience—something purists miss in the electric era. While some wonder about the end of electric cars, Longbow demonstrates that innovation in the sector is more alive than ever.
Numbers That Challenge Giants: Performance and Range
But don’t think that the lightness came at the expense of performance. The Longbow Speedster features a set of specifications that place it in supercar territory, proving that its engineering is as smart as it is daring. The car was designed from scratch, with an exclusive aluminum chassis and a “module-to-chassis” battery design that maximizes rigidity and minimizes weight.
The company describes it as a “spiritual successor” to icons like the Lotus Elise and Jaguar E-Type, a statement of intent that promises a visceral driving experience.
- 0-100 km/h Acceleration: 3.5 seconds
- Total Weight: 895 kg
- Range (WLTP): 442 km
- Price (Speedster): Starting at £84,995 (approximately R$ 585,000 in direct conversion, excluding taxes)
- Price (Roadster with roof): The closed version, arriving later, will have a more affordable price of £64,995.
These numbers, combined, are virtually incomparable in the EV market. The balance between explosive acceleration, solid range, and a ridiculously low weight creates a unique package. It’s a proposal that directly challenges the brute force of models like the Yangwang U9 electric hypercar, focusing on agility and driving sensation rather than just power figures.
A Team of Titans Behind the Roadster Threat
To dispel any doubt that this is just another vaporware project, Longbow assembled a true “dream team” on its advisory board. The list of names reads like a who’s who in the high-performance automotive industry, including former McLaren CEO Mike Flewitt, former Lotus Europe head Dan Balmer, and Michael van der Sande, whose résumé includes stints at Lucid Europe and Alpine. This team of veterans lends immense credibility to the project, showing that there is experience and authority to take the Speedster from prototype to mass production.
The first functional prototype, called the “Aesthetic Dynamic Demonstrator,” was revealed in London to initial clients and investors, with deliveries expected to begin in 2026. If Longbow meets the timetable, they will not only launch their car before the Tesla Roadster but also set a new paradigm for electric sports cars. It’s a bold move that puts enormous pressure on Elon Musk, in a maneuver reminiscent of other established brands declaring war on luxury giants. This Speedster is not just a car; it’s a statement that innovation can come from the least expected places, often from the very “house” of the giant you aim to challenge.
With a team of specialists, a philosophy focused on what truly matters to enthusiasts, and a product that already looks incredible on paper, Longbow is positioning itself to shake up the segment. While the Tesla Roadster remains a distant promise, wrapped in delays and rising expectations, the Speedster is already a palpable reality. The big question now is: when Musk’s Roadster finally arrives, will the world still be looking at it, or will the agility and purity of the British “featherweight” already have won hearts and garages? Simplicity and lightness may very well defeat brute force and endless waiting.
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Author: Fabio Isidoro
Founder and editor-in-chief of Canal Carro, he dedicates himself to exploring the automotive universe with depth and passion. A car and technology enthusiast, he produces technical content and in-depth analyses of national and international vehicles, combining quality information with a critical eye for the public.
