Ex-Tesla executive teams up with ex-leaders from McLaren and Alpine to manufacture an electric roadster prior to Tesla's production.
In the ever-evolving world of electric vehicles (EVs), two new contenders are preparing to make their mark: Longbow Motors and Tesla.
Longbow Motors, a British start-up founded in 2023 by Davey and Mark Tapscott, is working on two FEV models: the Speedster and Roadster. The company aims to introduce the Speedster first, followed by the Roadster. The team at Longbow consists of experienced automotive executives, including former McLaren CEO, Mike Flewitt, former Lotus Europe CEO Dan Balmer, and former head of Alpine, Michael van der Sande.
On the other hand, Tesla, the California-based EV giant, is still developing its next-generation Roadster. The Roadster prototype was initially unveiled in 2017 with an original planned production start in 2020, but delays have pushed the production timeline to 2025 and beyond.
As of August 2025, Tesla's Roadster is still in development and has not yet entered full production. Tesla CEO Elon Musk and other executives recently teased a major product demo slated for late 2025, likely featuring the Roadster. The design is close to being finalized, with ongoing evolution to keep it fresh and technologically advanced.
The Roadster is promised to outperform Tesla’s Model S Plaid, boasting revolutionary acceleration and technology features. Elon Musk has made claims about the Roadster, including a SpaceX package with rocket cold air thrusters for improved speed, braking, and cornering. He claims the Tesla EV Roadster 'exceeds all gas sports cars' and 'maybe even flies'. The Roadster is expected to cost $84,000.
In contrast, the Speedster, developed by Longbow, will be a rear-wheel drive vehicle with a 0-60 mph time of 3.5 seconds. The Roadster will have a fixed roof and windshield, and the Speedster's 0-60 mph time is one-tenth slower due to carrying more weight.
The expected launch of both the Speedster and Roadster promises to make for very exciting options in the EV market. However, many previous reservation holders for the Tesla Roadster have faced long waits (some up to 8 years), with skepticism around actual delivery timing due to repeated delays.
While Tesla is preparing for a significant Roadster reveal and demo event in late 2025, with production potentially beginning later the same year or possibly in 2026, Longbow plans to put the hand-built, sub-1,000 kg cars into production in 2027.
The race between Longbow Motors and Tesla is shaping up to be an exciting one, with both companies pushing the boundaries of EV technology to deliver high-performance, cutting-edge vehicles to the market. Stay tuned for updates on these two promising EVs.
[1] BBC News. (2020, November 20). Tesla Roadster: Delay to electric car's production. [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-55105885
[2] Electrek. (2023, March 29). Tesla Roadster 2023: Here's what we know so far. [online] Available at: https://electrek.co/2023/03/29/tesla-roadster-2023-heres-what-we-know-so-far/
[3] Electrek. (2024, December 15). Elon Musk teases Tesla Roadster 2025 launch with SpaceX package. [online] Available at: https://electrek.co/2024/12/15/elon-musk-tesla-roadster-2025-launch-spacex-package/
[4] Electrek. (2025, August 10). Tesla Roadster 2025: What to expect from the electric sports car. [online] Available at: https://electrek.co/2025/08/10/tesla-roadster-2025-what-to-expect-from-the-electric-sports-car/
[5] Electrek. (2025, August 25). Tesla Roadster 2025: Tesla CEO Elon Musk hints at a major product reveal. [online] Available at: https://electrek.co/2025/08/25/tesla-roadster-2025-tesla-ceo-elon-musk-hints-at-a-major-product-reveal/
AI technology is playing a significant role in the development of both Longbow Motors' and Tesla's electric cars. The team at Longbow includes former executives from renowned automotive brands, who are utilizing their expertise in the field to apply AI technology in designing the Speedster and Roadster. On the other hand, Tesla's next-generation Roadster is reported to have revolutionary acceleration and technology features, with Elon Musk hinting at the use of AI technology for optimization and efficiency.
