MG’s rise back to prominence as a maker of affordable and likeable EVs has been impressive, with the MG5 the eighth-best-selling electric car in the UK last year, and the new MG4 taking plenty of plaudits. It’s fair to say that those cars are pretty sensible, though: we’re not seeing MG looking back to its roots with sporty two-seaters. At least, until the Cyberster.
We’re not entirely sure about that name over here at ev.tips. But we like the doors. We like the doors a lot. The car has been knocking around in drawing form for at least two Shanghai Motor Shows before this one, but the latest pictures are of a production-ready car, and there’s a Summer 2024 release date penned in.
“Our intention was to create a completely new roadster ready for a new generation of sportscar drivers and which opens a bold and compelling new chapter for MG”, said Carl Gotham, Advanced Design Director of the company’s Marylebone design studio. “The focus for Cyberster was to create a design that was respectful of the brand’s illustrious past and to bring back that sporting bloodline, while also being absolutely clear that it should be modern and forward-facing like the MG of today, completely in-tune with the rapid transition to electric vehicles.”
I mean, it’s a good looking car. There are certainly some nods to the lines of MGs of old but it’s a very modern roadster design, wide and sculpted with a kammtail rear as a nod to aero efficiency. Then you’ve got the scissor doors, which a certainly a talking point and might come in handy if you’re trying to extract yourself from the low-slung chassis in a tight parking space.
As to what the specs of the car will be, well for now MG aren’t really saying. But the original release promised 0-62mph in less than three seconds and getting on for 500 miles of range. The registration documents for the car have recently been made public, and show that 2WD (231kW) and 4WD (150kW front / 250kW rear) options will be available, weighing 1,850 and 1,985kg respectively. Not light, but with that kind of power going to the tyres that kind of 0-62 time is within reach. The 500-mile range, maybe not so much. 300-350 miles seems more likely.
“This is the perfect time to introduce an MG that completely reconnects with our performance DNA and is designed to enthral the driver on every level”, Guy Pigounakis, MG Motor UK’s Commercial Director, said. “MG is all set for an electric, sporting future and it is the perfect way to start celebrating our 100th anniversary.”
