Tesla Roadster

Can UK Startup Longbow Solve ⁣The Electric ⁢Sportscar Weight ​Problem?

A ​new British electric vehicle (EV) startup, Longbow, is aiming to‍ carve a niche in the sports car market by prioritizing driving experience and leveraging existing UK supply chains – a strategy ⁢they⁢ believe will ⁤sidestep the pitfalls plaguing larger ⁢EV manufacturers.⁢ The ⁣company recently bolstered ⁤its expertise by adding three industry veterans to its advisory‍ board: former McLaren CEO Mike‌ Flewitt, ex-Alpine ⁣boss Michael ‍van der Sande, and ex-Lotus chief Dan ​Balmer. “We have ​well over a century worth of British sports car experience with all‍ of us now on the team,” a company representative stated.this influx of experience is ⁢intended​ to help Longbow avoid repeating mistakes made⁢ by others in the EV space.

Longbow’s approach centers ‍on flexibility ​and avoiding⁣ massive ​capital expenditure on proprietary technology. ‍Instead of building billion-dollar factories⁣ to manufacture components like motors, the ‍company intends to source from the UK’s established⁣ and robust supply chain. “If⁣ we want more motors, we can look at multiple diffrent options ⁤based ⁢on our requirements.We don’t need to develop that tech. It⁢ would increase our ‍cost,” explained Davey,a Longbow representative.”The UK has such an incredible supply chain, and billions were sunk into ​that. That’s not just EV,that’s other parts – brakes,panels,suspension,everything.”

The company​ is focusing on creating a ⁣vehicle that delivers a visceral driving experience, described as “theater” by Tapscott, another Longbow representative. This includes incorporating unexpected physical elements ‍into the car’s interior, aiming to recapture the engagement‌ lost in some ⁣modern EVs. “The driving experience ‌should be any major car company’s​ real IP, ⁢especially in​ electrification.⁣ There will be sticks that you wouldn’t expect to see inside an electric vehicle appearing in our car, to give ‌you a bit of a flavour.”

Longbow isn’t chasing record-breaking range or acceleration figures, recognizing the weight penalties associated with larger battery packs​ and more powerful motors. Their target specifications ‍are a 0-60 mph​ time of 3.5 ‌seconds, a top speed of 125 mph, and ‌a range of 270 ​miles.‍ “As⁤ soon as ⁢you⁣ do any ⁣more than that you need bigger motors, more inverters, more cooling. ⁢Then you’re​ playing the game that ​everyone else is currently losing money on and that doesn’t‌ make ⁣any sense,”⁣ Davey said. The company is currently evaluating‌ whether to utilize a 400V or⁢ 800V architecture, with 400V currently favored due to cost and supply⁣ chain considerations.

Longbow emphasizes authenticity and responding​ directly to ‍consumer desires. “We’re⁤ authentic,” ⁢Tapscott​ stated. “We’re doing what people said they ‍wanted.” The company is deliberately eschewing⁣ the pursuit of Nürburgring lap records, believing it‍ would compromise their core ethos. “For us, a​ sports car ⁢is somthing​ that you⁣ drive it, you’re⁢ fully engaged, you’re forgetting about the rest of the world, and then⁤ you park up, and as you walk away, you want to ‍turn around and look at⁣ it. That’s why ​we’ve we ⁢worked hard on how the car looks.”

Longbow plans to begin production at ‌the end of 2026,with ⁣initial vehicles already in growth.‍ “Start of ⁤production ‌will be end of 2026,” ⁢Davey confirmed. “In between there will be several cars on ⁢the ⁢road. The first will be very soon. thes are not‌ prototypes.” The vehicles pictured represent‍ the final ​production design, and the‌ company promises further announcements and ⁣a more detailed reveal early in the new year.”we are hellbent on⁣ starting production and moving towards ‌getting cars​ on ​the road​ and in customers’‍ hands.”