Latest news with #Speedster
Yahoo
14-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Ex-Tesla engineers launch luxury electric sports car startup: 'Making every effort to make cars available ... as quickly as possible'
Looks like Tesla needs to watch its back. Longbow, a U.K.-based startup, will release "featherweight" electric sports cars that you can ride in style without worrying so much about your carbon footprint. The company was founded by Jenny Keisu, Daniel Davey, and Mark Tapscott, two of whom are Tesla alumni. Davey, per his LinkedIn, "had two stints at Tesla commercialising the Roadster and then scaling with the Model 3." Tapscott worked at Tesla for seven years, where he successfully launched products and said he "got shouted at by Elon (a lot)." They have developed two models, the Speedster and the Roadster, which are set to be released next year. So far, only U.K. customers can make reservations. The Speedster, which is scheduled to be released first, costs over $110,000. Only 150 models will be made, making it the more exclusive of the two. The Roadster is a bit cheaper, at around $84,000. A set number of models hasn't been announced yet, though Longbow has hinted at a much larger production scale. Both cars will have 240-kilowatt motors. This would put them in direct competition with Tesla, whose second-generation Roadster — though delayed for five years and counting — is rumored to be released sometime this year. (And yes — that is the same name.) Regardless of the manufacturer, electric vehicle sales have been steadily increasing since 2016, with over 1 million being sold in the U.S. alone in 2024. Thanks to cheaper routine maintenance costs and lower pollution rates, people everywhere want to make their next car an EV. If you want to take the Roadster for a spin but live outside the U.K., don't worry. While Longbow's cars will only be available in the U.K. upon release, the company plans to expand. Tapscott told Forbes: "Whilst launching in our home country and Europe, we will be making every effort to make cars available as widely and as quickly as possible." If you were going to purchase an EV, which of these factors would be most important to you? Cost Battery range Power and speed The way it looks Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Ex-Tesla employees aim to launch an electric roadster before Musk can
An automotive startup based in Britain aims to release an exclusive fully electric open sports car before Tesla can deliver its long-promised roadster model. Pre-orders are already being taken by Longbow Motors, which was founded in 2023 by Daniel Davey and Mark Tapscott, former Tesla and Lucid employees who also gained development experience at China's BYD. Production is due to start by 2026. Tesla fans are still waiting for a roadster from the company which was promised by chief executive Elon Musk in 2020 and again last year. Musk went on record as saying that the new Roadster "has to come behind the things that have a more serious impact on the good of the world". Power from an electric motor is not the problem with electrically driven sports cars but rather the weight that hampers performance. Longbow Motors said it wants to counteract this with its concept of "Featherweight Electric Vehicles" (FEV). The lightweight sports car will be available as a roadster and an open Speedster. Both cars should be very quick to to hit 100 km/h although no official figures or detailed specification have been released. The models are based on an aluminium platform which delivers a weight of 995 kilos for the hardtop and 895kg for the open Speedster. "There is a need for a driver-centred, featherweight electric sports car that is affordable and accessible to those who love driving and the places it takes them. That's why we developed Longbow," said co-founder and chief executive Daniel Davey in a release. Davey had been in charge of the launch of the Tesla Model 3 in Europe and was Lucid's first official representative beyond North America. Tapscott worked on the Lotus Elise. The Longbow Speedster is being launched as a limited edition of 150 vehicles at a price of around €102,000. Customers can also reserve the Luminary 1st Edition and Autograph Edition models, which are limited to 10 and 25 units respectively.
Forbes
31-03-2025
- Automotive
- Forbes
A British Startup Challenges Tesla's (Delayed) Roadster With Two Ultra-Light EV Sports Cars
British automakers like Lotus are known for engineering sleek sportscars with ultra-low curb weights that enable brisk acceleration from engines that would otherwise be considered tepid in larger and heavier rides. As an example, the classic Lotus Elise – upon which the original Tesla Roadster was based – packed a Toyota-derived 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine that generated what would seem to be a puny 188 horsepower and 133 pound-feet of torque, yet its super-slim mass (around one ton) enabled it to register a 0-to-60 mph time at under five seconds, which was decidedly brisk for its time. Both Elise and Tesla's initial production models are long gone, and while a new Tesla Roadster has been planned (and delayed) for several years now, a fledgling U.K. brand named Longbow Motors, hopes to beat Elon Musk to market next year with a pair of what it calls the world's first 'FEVs' (for Featherweight Electric Vehicles). Founded by veteran British engineers Daniel Davy and Mark Tapscott, both with sportscar and EV development on their resumes, the company's motto is ' Celeritas Levitas,' which is Latin for 'the speed of lightness.' The brand's premiere offerings, planned for introduction in 2026, will be a pair of low-slung two-seat rear-wheel-drive EVs, the Longbow Speedster and Roadster. Each is wrapped in graceful exterior lines and curves that sweep rearward from a massive hood that evokes a classic Jaguar XKE from the 1960's. The Speedster comes without either a windshield or a roof, however, for the ultimate vintage sportscar experience. Rather than engineer and develop each of the cars' major components in house, including the batteries, motors and brakes, they'll reportedly be sourced from established Chinese suppliers to hold down costs and speed development. Each model will come powered by a 240 kw electric motor (at an estimated 322 British horsepower) and over 2,000 nickel-cadmium battery cells. Range on a charge is anticipated at a European-rated 275 miles (443 km) for the Speedster and five additional miles on a charge for the Roadster We'd guess dual-motor all-wheel drive models could arrive at some point in the vehicles' future. While the Longbows' outputs pale compared to some of the most powerful EVs on the market, either promises a 0-62 mph time at around 3.5 seconds, which places them firmly in supercar territory, thanks to extensive use of lightweight aluminum and composite components. Their curb weights are planned to tip the scales at around a svelte 2,000 pounds, which itself is about the weight of a Ford F-150 Lightning EV's battery pack alone. Both premiere models are planned for a limited production run of 1,500 units, and the company promises to show a prototype of the Speedster by midyear, with a production model scheduled for 2026, to be followed in subsequent months by the Roadster. Best of all, while the Longbow FEVs are built to run with Ferraris and Lamborghinis, they're planned to be more affordable alternatives. The Speedster is expected to start at $109,900 (£84,995), with the Roadster commanding a less-costly $84,040 (£64,995) base price. High rollers can step up to an even more-limited Luminary 1st Edition of the Speedster with 10 units planned, or the Autograph Edition of which 25 are said to be produced. There will also be 50 Luminary 1st Edition Roadster units up for grabs as well as 100 Autograph Edition versions. No word yet how much of a premium those limited models will command. Specifics including standard and optional equipment, U.S.-certified specs and availability on this side of the Atlantic are yet to surface. Oh, in case you haven't yet caught on, the Roadster's moniker was reportedly chosen as a dig at Tesla's yet-to-surface second-generation model of the same name. 'A lot of customers have put deposits down for a Roadster that they can't get," says co-founder Daniel Davy via Top Gear. "If people want to get back their $250,000 deposit for a 2020 car and put it into a better car, they're going to get one sooner (and) they're welcome to do it.'
Yahoo
22-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
New EV Company Trolls Elon Musk with Ultra-Light 'Roadster'
EV maker Longbow is taking two sleek new models to market – and analysts say the competition might be taking note. That's because Longbow's latest entries have more going for them than your average electric car. This UK-based startup is supported by a strong pedigree, including ex-employees from EV leaders like BYD, Tesla and Lucid. And Longbow hopes to leverage this talent in order to 'capture driving enjoyment' with two new exciting electric sports cars – the Speedster and the Roadster. Most Read on IEN: Canadian Manufacturer Closes Plant, Moves Production to America Ford Shows Off Treasure Trove of Rarely Seen Vehicles World's Largest Tire Manufacturer Turns to Recycled Materials The Longest Conveyor Belt in America Longbow calls them FEVs – a nod to one of their most defining features. The 'F' stands for featherweight, and instead of your typically-overweight electric, the automaker is breaking the mold: the Speedster weighs reportedly less than 2,000 lbs, and the Roadster comes in at 2,200. For comparison, the heaviest EV in the industry – the GMC Hummer – weighs around 9,000 lbs. Car and Driver says the two models use an aluminum chassis and composite panels to cut weight. A long, flat profile looks dynamic and ready to sprint from zero to 62 in just 3.5 seconds. The two-seaters are both rear-wheel drive, and a recent feature by TopGear explained that many of the components — including batteries, motors, and brakes – would be sourced from other companies, possibly the nearby high-performance component suppliers that service area Formula 1 and Formula E teams. Car and Driver adds, however, that 'certain elements such as the lights and mirrors will be parts-bin pieces to keep costs down.' Speaking of cost, the Speedster is set to be a hand-built, limited run for $110,000 US, while the Roadster comes in at a more approachable price of $84,000 and will be produced at higher volumes. Despite being feature-rich, the Roadster, specifically, is getting a lot of attention for one other reason. Observers note that the Roadster name is a not-so-subtle dig at competitor Tesla. In fact, Top Gear went so far as to say it was 'deliberately named to annoy Elon Musk.' That's because Tesla has yet to release its own 'Roadster' model, which it's been teasing for eight years. For Longbow, it took a mere two: the company was founded in 2023. Click here to subscribe to our daily newsletter featuring breaking manufacturing industry news.
WIRED
15-03-2025
- Automotive
- WIRED
Designer Ray-Ban Metas, An EV to Mock Tesla, and Portable Pizzas—Here's Your Gear News of the Week
Plus: iRobot unveils its new robo vacs, JBL pimps its most beloved speakers, a bright future for TCL TVs, and more. Photography: JBL; RayBan; Longbow; TCL, Getty If you buy something using links in our stories, we may earn a commission. This helps support our journalism. Learn more. Please also consider subscribing to WIRED It's not rocket science. A huge part of the reason why Ray-Ban Meta Wayfarers are the best face computer is because a lot of people already do want to wear Ray-Ban Wayfarers. It's a lot easier to persuade people to wear a smart accessory when that accessory looks sharp as hell. Meta has committed to the bit with its latest launch, the Ray-Ban Meta x Coperni collaboration, which just debuted at Paris Fashion Week, no less. Photograph: Ray-Ban; Meta Coperni is a French fashion brand that's known for semi-techy stunts like spraying a dress onto model Bella Hadid, so collaborating with Meta isn't totally off-brand. The Coperni glasses are limited-edition (naturally). In addition to all the usual Ray-Ban Meta features—live video recording, AI capabilities, pretty great sound quality—the Coperni glasses have limited edition numbering, a Coperni charging case, and gray mirror lenses. Important to remember, though: Buying a $549 pair of fashion AI glasses will not make you look like a modern-day oligarch. You're going to need a chin implant, a car with 37 recall notices, or a bunker in Hawaii to do that. —Adrienne So Watch Out Elon, Former Tesla and Lucid Bods Are Making Their Own Roadster EVs New EV brands are springing up all the time, but what makes Longbow Motors special is not only the stunning designs of the first two incoming models but that this start-up is founded by former execs from Tesla, BYD, and Lucid. That's quite the pedigree. The two EVs are the Speedster (above), with no roof or windscreen, which will be followed by a fixed-roof, two-seat coupe called the Roadster. The rear-wheel drive Speedster will be limited to 150 cars, and weigh in at just 895 kg, giving it a 275-mile range, a claimed 0-62 mph time of 3.5 seconds, and $92,600 price tag. The Roadster will be cheaper at $70,850, but 100 kg heavier, yet still good for 0-62 mph in 3.6 seconds, and 280 miles. Longbow claims it will have a prototype by summer, and final cars to those brave enough to pre-order as early as next year. And in case you were wondering if it's just coincidence one of the EVs is called 'Roadster,' it isn't. Co-founder Daniel Davy, who worked at Tesla during the development of its original Roadster, told Top Gear that the moniker was a jibe at the continually delayed Tesla Roadster MkII. 'A lot of customers have put deposits down for a Roadster that they can't get,' Davy told Top Gear. 'If people want to get back their $250,000 deposit for a 2020 car and put it into a better car they're going to get sooner, they're welcome to do it. Our Roadster's going to be on the ground first.' —Jeremy White Get a Handle on JBL's Pimped Most Popular Speakers JBL dropped two new speakers in time for the warm weather ahead. This week, the company debuted rejigged versions of the JBL Flip 7 and the JBL Charge 6—two of its most popular models. Both have enhanced sound ("bigger and bolder," according to JBL), its Sound Boost tech that analyzes music in real-time and optimizes the driver accordingly, as well as high-res lossless audio via USB-C. You can also pair it with other Auracast-enabled JBL speakers (although it won't work with older models that use PartyBoost). Landing April 1, the $150 Flip 7 has interchangeable accessories that make it easier to carry (including a finger loop and carabiner hook), IP68-dust- and water-resistance, and up to 16 hours of battery life. The $200 Charge 6 has a detachable handle strap, an upgraded woofer, 28 hours of battery, and a handy built-in USB-C powerbank, too. Take Gozney's 'Portable' Oven To Your Next Beach Party OK, so you're on top of a mountain. I know what you're probably thinking: Why can't I fire up a Neapolitan pizza at 950 degrees? British pizza oven maker Gozney has your back, with what they're calling the "world's most portable pizza oven." The Gozney Tread, released Wednesday, is a 30-pound propane-fueled pizza maker with handles on its roof to cart it around, and room inside for a 12-inch pie. Small oven means fast heating, apparently: Its makers promise the Tread can hit just shy of a thousand degrees Fahrenheit within 15 minutes. The WIRED Gear Team recommends Gozney's high-priced Dome for professional pizza chefs out to do a pop-up, but for more casual chefs we wondered whether even Gozney's smaller 45-pound Roccbox was overkill. Well, this Tread is as casual as it gets. The ad campaign shows pizza on a beach, pizza in a rugged Utah stonescape, and pizza in an untrammeled field of snow. But it's also probably fine for less exotic tailgating and/or camping. The new Tread rings in at $499, and comes with a 5-year warranty. The cool 'Venture Stand' costs an extra $250, though, and a travel bag to cart the oven around easier costs a hundred more. —Matthew Korfhage TCL's New Mini-LED TVs Are Blazing Bright Following the QM6K that landed just weeks after CES in January, the QM7K is the second in TCL's new 'Precise Dimming Series' which includes updates like improved color accuracy and blooming control thanks to the brand's new Halo Control System, as well as a reduced optical lens size for clear screen uniformity. Those improvements added up to some of the most balanced and engaging picture performance you can get for the money in the QM6K (8/10, WIRED Recommends), with the only notable drawback being less punch for HDR content than some rivals due to lower peak brightness. That shouldn't be a problem for the step-up QM7K, which claims a blazing 2,600 nits peak brightness in the 55- and 65-inch models, and up to 3,000 nits in the 75- and 85-inch models. That's a fair jump over last year's QM7, and with the swath of other improvements to the TV's house-made panel, I'm excited to see what this midrange model can do in person soon. Pricing starts at $1,300 for the 55-inch size, rising to $2,500 for the 85-inch version, but that's likely to drop over time. While not yet available, the QM7K will also come in mondo-sized 98-inch and 115-inch XXL versions priced at $4,000 and $20,000, respectively. —Ryan Waniata iRobot Has New Roomba Robos—Don't Worry, They're Armless Yes, iRobot has had a rough couple of years. The company had dominated the market for so long that the brand name 'Roomba' was synonymous with the words 'robot vacuum.' But the company was rocked by a scandal involving leaked images from the homes of testers, and Amazon terminated its pending acquisition. More recently, iRobot has lagged behind its competitors, who are flaunting gizmos including arms that can pick up socks, carry air purifiers around, or even climb stairs. So it's with some curiosity that we see that iRobot (and its new CEO, Gary Cohen) has unveiled a new line of robot vacuums and 2-in-1 vacuums. (You no longer have to buy a whole separate Braava mop and chain it to your Roomba!) The lineup will be available for pre-order on March 18 across North American and the European markets, and will feature several new Roomba series, including a more power-lifting suction; a dust compacting series; and new combination robot vacuum and scrubbing, which brings the Roomba more in line with its other high-end competitors. OK, so there's no multi-function robotic arms in sight, but they will have new materials and finishes to look more organic with home decor. Despite lagging performance, Roombas have always been one of the best-looking robot vacuums, and we're excited to test. —Adrienne So Android Adds Auracast as a Bluetooth Boon for Buds and Hearing Aids Google has just announced that Android will support Auracast, enabling broadcast audio streaming to supported hearing aids and earbuds. Auracast is the latest and greatest update for Bluetooth. This new feature enables folks with hearing aids to stream audio directly in public settings such as concerts, classrooms, and airports. Venues can set up live streams that multiple people can join easily from their phones to get perfect audio. This could be a real game changer in noisy environments. While it's primarily an accessibility feature, folks can use it in other places, like gyms, to get audio from a nearby TV. To use Auracast, you must pair LE Audio-compatible hearing aids from companies such as GN Hearing and Starkey with Samsung Galaxy devices with One UI 7 and Android 15 or Pixel 9 devices running the Android 16 beta, then tune into Auracast broadcasts from compatible TV streamers or public venues. You can select audio streams on your phone, much as you would a Wi-Fi network, but you can also potentially scan a QR code to join an audio stream, though this is initially only available on Pixel 9 devices. Alongside this news, Google announced the third beta release of Android 16, which means developers can push their Android 16 apps to the Play Store. The release also includes Auracast support and text contrast improvements for folks with low vision. — Simon Hill
