Tesla Veterans Unveil a Compact EV Directly Targeting Musk’s Roadster
Daniel Davey and Mark Tapscott, two former Tesla workers, have founded Longbow, a new electric vehicle start-up based in the UK. By tackling the problem of overweight EVs on the road, Longbow hopes to transform the electric car market, living up to its motto, “Celeritas Levitatis” (Speed of Lightness).
Release date
Musk explained in 2017 that the Roadster EV would be “the fastest production car ever made,” yet it hasn’t been released eight years later. The original release date was set for 2020.
The Specs: Light, Fast, and Purpose-Built
The Speedster is first. The two-seater, which has no roof or windshield, has a 275-mile (WLTP) projected range. It will go from 0 to 60 miles per hour (0 to 96 kilometers per hour) in 3.5 seconds and weigh only 1,973 pounds (895 kg). That is the same as that of a Tesla Model Y Performance (although the latter is with a rollout) and comparable to certain really fast supercars.
Longbow will proceed to a hardtop variant known as the Roadster after completing manufacturing of the Speedster, which is expected to begin early next year. The latter takes 0.1 seconds longer to reach 60 mph since it weights a little more (2,193 pounds). Nevertheless, its range will increase by five miles, reaching 280 miles overall.
Pricing and Availability
Both models are available for reservations. The Roadster costs $84,000 (₤64,995 with VAT), while the Speedster will cost approximately $110,000 (₤84,995), including local UK VAT (tax). Some limited editions, such as the Luminary 1st Edition and Autograph Edition, will only be available in 10 and 25 copies, respectively, according to Longbow.
