Get ready for some exciting electric cars to make their world debut at the Goodwood Festive of Speed (FOS). And what’s more exciting than fast electric machines? Faster electric machines.
That’s exactly what the two British carmakers are bringing to the table at this year’s Goodwood FOS, on from July 13 to July 16.
First up, MG Cyberster — claimed by the Longbridge-based company to be the world’s first “affordable” electric roadster step into the market, dramatically undercutting existing electric performance cars with a two-model structure.
We had reported in April that the scissor-doored roadster had received a 2024 release date, when it was knocking around at the Shanghai Motor Show.
The base model is expected to begin around £55,000 for a rear-wheel-drive 309bhp version (231kW) and going up to around £65,000 for a four-wheel-drive, twin-motor version with 536bhp (150kW front / 250kW rear), weighing 1,850 and 1,985kg respectively.
The original release promised 0-62mph in less than three seconds and getting on for 500 miles of range, but we won’t be super sure about that number.
> The MG Cyberster gets a 2024 release date
If you are still not sold, MG has confirmed that the EV roadster will underline its performance credentials by taking on the iconic hill climb throughout the festival.
The two-seater convertible will be showcased on the main MG stand, allowing festival-goers to take a close look at its leading-edge interior and exterior styling. A second Cyberster will be stationed in the First Glance paddock and will put on a show as it takes to the hill twice a day over the entire event.
Guy Pigounakis, Commercial Director for MG Motor UK says: “We’re excited to return to the Festival of Speed and with a global debut. The Cyberster marks MG’s long-awaited return to sports car production and we’re ready to share what that exciting future looks like with this high-performance, technologically-advanced EV. Two further debuts are planned, both demonstrating MG’s desire to create electric cars that will engage and exhilarate.”
Drawing inspiration from the company’s heritage, Cyberster’s bold styling combines contemporary design with distinctive touches that call on MG’s rich history as a renowned manufacturer of exciting, engaging convertible sports cars.
Signature exterior highlights – envisioned by the company’s London-based design team lead by Carl Gotham – include a distinctive low nose and curvaceous rear haunches, as well as striking new features including scissor doors and a Kammback tail.
As well as unveiling the Cyberster, MG will return to Goodwood with two more EV performance cars which will both appear in the First Glance paddock. One of those will be a British-designed and built prototype codenamed EX4, and a second, sporting EV which will be available for sale later in the summer of 2023 will also be there at the FOS.
Caterham’s as-of-yet unseen roadster
While pictures of the Cyberster have been around, Caterham is holding its cars close for the big reveal of its electric sports coupé concept. The Project V, labelled as its “most radical concept in decades”, is likely to be show up online on July 12 before unveiling itself to the world’s eyes at the Caterham stand at Goodwood.
But so far, the Dartford-based sports car manufacturer has given us a little tease with silhouette photos of the car and sleek, almost menacing headlamps.
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It’s is the creation of Chief Designer, Anthony Jannarelly and built by renowned Italdesign inTurin, and looks to be somewhat similar a Lotus Elise or Alfa Romeo 4C. It’s clear Project V is intended to be a small, presumably lightweight sportscar with a rear-mounted battery and motor.
And obviously being Caterham, we can assume the chief concern when building an electric sports car will be the weight. But Caterham insists Project V will honour its family values, targeting a mere 70kg increase over the Seven 485
Targets are a mere 70kg increase in weight over the Seven 485, with weight distribution within two per cent of it.
This isn’t the first time Caterham has entertained the possibility of a ‘proper car’. Early on in development of the Alpine A110, Caterham was in as a partner and was set to get its own production car out of it. However, that deal fell through and cash-strapped Caterham were left with nothing but a prototype
Now the Brit specialist carmaker is back with another concept, and we can’t help but wonder if the Project V, or any iteration of it is likely to go into production, and how much will it be inspired from and then aimed at the French sports car.
Similarly, it’s not the first time that Caterham has looked at Electric power, with the EV Seven prototype only just revealed last month. Project V is due to be unveiled in around a month, so we’ll find out more then.
For now, what do you think of these two electric sports cars?
