Longbow reveals first demonstrator of ‘featherlight’ Speedster EV

British EV start-up Longbow has unveiled its first Speedster demonstrator model just six months after announcing its ambitious plans for an all-new electric sports car.

The firm showcased its ‘featherlight’ Speedster to a select audience of investors, collaborators and early customers in London and said that first customer deliveries were scheduled to start next year.

The team behind the £85,000 two-seater say that the Speedster is designed to create an “attainable and accessible” driver-orientated, lightweight electric sports car.

Inspired by British icons like the Lotus Elise and Jaguar E-Type, the Longbow Speedster is built on a bespoke aluminium chassis and weighs just 895kg. The firm hasn’t shared powertrain specifics yet but says the Speedster uses a ‘module-to-chassis’ battery capable of up to 275 miles per charge, and will run from 0-62mph in just 3.5 seconds.

The dynamic demonstrator model shows off a clean modern design clearly inspired by famous sports cars of the past. The Speedster features a cab-rearward layout with a long low bonnet and smooth aerodynamic front end. Like the Lotus 3-Eleven or McLaren Elva. there’s no windscreen and behind the driver and passenger twin buttresses lead to a sloping rear panel and subtle tail spoiler.

Following the Speedster’s launch in 2026 a cheaper hard-top Roadster model will arrive, priced from £65,000. Both models will be limited to production runs of 150 units and will be hand built in the UK.

Daniel Davey, co-founder and CEO of Longbow, said: “Speedster seems to have struck a chord with enthusiasts. It’s a timeless blueprint with a twist, which was exactly what the market was missing. Inviting customers to this unveiling was our way of saying thank you.

“We’re a new company with a new product, seeing their faith and passion for a vehicle we have built is a special feeling. While Speedster defies convention, so too has our journey to get here – we’ve managed to deliver a dynamic demonstrator in just six months. No truer illustration of our ‘speed of lightness’ approach.”

Longbow was founded in 2023 by Davey, Jenny Keisu, and Mark Tapscott who, between them have worked for EV specialists Tesla, Lucid and BYD as well as in the electric marine sector.