Meet the Longbow EV Duo: Speedster and Roadster Redefining Electric Driving

Electric Elegance - In a world where electric vehicles increasingly chase luxury features, extended range, and futuristic flair, something refreshingly different has emerged from the UK. The Longbow Speedster and its sibling, the Roadster, aren't designed to dazzle with giant touchscreens or autonomous driving gimmicks. Instead, they focus on a purer thrill—the kind of electric sports car that asks not how connected you are, but how alive you feel behind the wheel. Built for drivers, not just commuters, these two machines are putting the soul back into electric mobility with a uniquely British flair.

The Longbow EV Duo: Speedster and Roadster from a bold British Startup redefining electric driving. (Picture from: Longbow Motors)

Longbow Motors was founded by Daniel Davy and Mark Tapscott, engineers who’ve helped shape the EV world through stints at Tesla, Lucid, Polestar, BYD, Uber, and Formula E. After years spent advancing electric technology, they noticed something missing: the joy. The market had become a playground for bulky, tech-laden SUVs and sedans. There was no simple, lightweight EV that captured the spirit of analog driving. So, rather than wait for someone else to build it, they did it themselves. With decades of combined experience and a shared obsession for performance, they set out to make electric driving emotional again.

The Longbow Speedster. (Picture from: TopGear)

The result is two purpose-built cars: the Speedster and the Roadster. The Speedster is the wilder of the two, ditching both windshield and roof to create a truly open-air experience. Weighing just 895kg, it rockets from 0–96 km/h in 3.5 seconds and offers a WLTP-estimated range of 443 km. Only 150 units will be produced—100 Autograph Editions and 50 Luminary First Editions—making it as exclusive as it is exhilarating. The Roadster, meanwhile, keeps the same lightweight ethos but adds a fixed roof for more usability, weighing 995kg with a slightly higher 451 km range and a near-identical 0–96 km/h time of 3.6 seconds. At around $84,000 (£64,995), the Roadster also undercuts most electric performance cars by a significant margin.

The Longbow Speedster. (Picture from: Longbow Motors)

What sets Longbow apart isn’t just performance—it’s philosophy. The team isn’t trying to reinvent every part of the car. Instead, they take a modular approach: sourcing motors, batteries, and braking systems from proven suppliers, while focusing in-house on what really matters—the driving feel. It’s a strategy inspired by British marques like Caterham and Ariel, who’ve long excelled by keeping cars light, focused, and honest. With a 240kW (322bhp) motor and a chassis made of aluminium under sustainable composite panels, Longbow’s cars are built for agility and simplicity, not complexity for complexity’s sake.

The Longbow Roadster. (Picture from: TopGear)

Inside and out, the cars embrace minimalism. Many functional parts like mirrors, lighting, and switches come from existing supply chains—not because Longbow is cutting corners, but because they prefer to invest where it counts: on the road. The cars don’t simulate fake exhaust sounds or artificial shifting. Instead, they lean into electric driving’s natural strengths—instant torque, low weight, and responsive handling. With their low center of gravity and tight packaging, both the Speedster and Roadster deliver a level of driver connection that most EVs simply can’t touch.

The Longbow Roadster. (Picture from: TopGear)

Even their names are packed with personality. "Longbow" draws on the idea of precision and skill—a powerful tool only as effective as the hands that wield it. It’s a fitting image for a car that rewards proper driving, not passive transport. The name "Roadster" is more tongue-in-cheek, taking a playful shot at Tesla’s endlessly delayed second-generation Roadster. Longbow isn’t just challenging big names with bold engineering—it’s delivering real cars while others are still stuck in pre-orders and promises. And for Tesla fans still waiting, Daniel Davy has a clear message: your electric dream might be parked here instead.

With production slated to begin soon and a working prototype expected this summer, Longbow Motors is on the verge of turning this passionate vision into reality. While Alpine, Porsche, and Lotus prep their own electric sports cars, Longbow is already out in front—faster to market and firmer in identity. For those who’ve been waiting for an EV that delivers the sensation, purity, and raw appeal of a true driver’s car, the Speedster and Roadster offer something rare in today’s market: emotion over automation, feel over flash, and a whole lot of fun. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | LONGBOW MOTORS | CARSCOOPS | TOPGEAR | CARMAGAZINE | |

Note: This blog can be accessed via your smart phone.