Adapted by:
Ricardo Aguilar
WriterMobile tech writer and analyst. I studied Psychology, but I've been working in the consumer tech field for the last 10 years. Interested in motor projects and new forms of mobility.
Karen Alfaro
WriterCommunications professional with a decade of experience as a copywriter, proofreader, and editor. As a travel and science journalist, I've collaborated with several print and digital outlets around the world. I'm passionate about culture, music, food, history, and innovative technologies.
The Tesla Roadster has been a dream since 2017. Nearly a decade later, Tesla’s supercar continues to face delays. The company initially promised production would begin in 2022 and 2024, but there are no updates on its status.
Tired of waiting, two former Tesla engineers decided to create an ultralight, hand-built alternative. Called Longbow, deliveries are set to begin next year.
The concept Tesla promised. Beyond powerful, heavy supercars, the Tesla Roadster aimed to fulfill a supercar enthusiast’s fantasy: a very fast yet lightweight vehicle.
It was designed to accelerate from zero to 62 mph in 1.9 seconds, reach a top speed of 250 mph, offer a range of 620 miles, and weigh just 2,200 pounds—evoking the spirit of Lotus, Triumph, Jaguar, Caterham, and an electric road car.
The upcoming alternative. Tesla’s vision remains unfulfilled, at least for now. Mark Tapscott and Daniel Davey, engineers with experience at Tesla, Lucid Motors, and BYD, took matters into their own hands to create an alternative.
“There is a need for a more driver-oriented, featherweight, electric sportscar—one that is attainable and accessible, for those who love driving and the places it takes them. That is why we have created Longbow. Our first two cars, Speedster and Roadster embody everything a modern driver’s car should be: agile, balanced, electric and exhilarating. We are reviving an icon, the lightweight British sportscar.”
These two models will weigh less than 2,193 pounds (1,973 for the Speedster) and are described as “the spiritual successors to British icons like the Lotus Elise and Jaguar E-Type.” Rather than promising extreme performance figures, they’ll offer around 330 hp and accelerate from zero to 62 mph in just over three seconds. Battery range will vary between 275 and 174 miles, depending on the model. Both cars will be built entirely by hand in the UK.
How much will the electric supercar cost? Longbow has priced the Roadster at £64,995 ($84,000) and the Speedster at around $108,800. Production is limited to 150 units, including 35 special editions (the Luminary First Edition and 25 Autograph Edition). Reservations are already open on the manufacturer’s official website, and deliveries are expected to start next year.
The extinction of the lightweight sports car. Aside from rare cases like Longbow, the future of the lightweight sports car looks bleak. Electrification trends favor heavier vehicles, leaving few options on the market—except for combustion-powered models like the Toyota GR86 and GR Yaris. The dream of the British sports car survives in niche projects for the wealthy, while the world still waits for an affordable electric alternative.
Images | Longbow
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