Long-term fans of the British marque couldn’t help but smile when the covers were lifted off the production-ready MG Cyberster. But this low-slung electric roadster is more than just the latest car to join the brand’s burgeoning line-up; it’s a clear statement of intent from the brand as it gets back to its sporting history.
The Cyberster is a sign that MG is serious once again regarding making fun sports cars — a proposition that seemed unlikely just a few years back. So, what is so special about it and why is it an important car for MG’s future?
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MG has been inextricably linked with affordable sports cars throughout its history. From the pre-war icon MG T-series to the 60s favorite MGB, the octagon badge has always been synonymous with wind-in-your-hair driving.
This sporting legacy had appeared to be long forgotten after a succession of different owners of the brand. Under Chinese ownership under SAIC Motor since 2007, MG shifted to practical family cars and SUVs prioritizing value over thrills.
It’s been a remarkably successful shift, from a business standpoint. MG now sells cars in more than 80 countries and has become one of the UK’s fastest-growing car brands. But something central to MG’s character was absent in its contemporary interpretation.
Old-time fans bemoaned the lack of a proper sports car in the range. The previous MG roadster – the TF – rolled off production lines in 2011 and there’s a noticeable hole in the market for cheap open-top fun since. The Cyberster is intended to fill this void, for a new millennium take on MG’s headphones sporting principles.
A Respectful and Eye-Catching Design
Exterior Styling Cues
The Cyberster’s design pulls off a tricky tightrope act. It is futuristic with its crisp angles but with subtle references to MG’s of old. This is no retro pastiche, more what a 21st-century MG sports car should look like.
Those unique scissor doors may look like a mere gimmick, but they double as a point of conversation and a practical boon to entry and egress in constricted parking spots. Open these and they generate a dramatic visual identity that will make the Cyberster an eye-catcher anywhere it’s seen.
The one thing worthy of a special mention are the LED light signatures below. The Union Jack themed tail lights are a smart nod to MG’s roots in Britain, without being too contrived or cliché. Up front, strong headlight formations make the car look purposeful in a way that lets you know it’s serious.
Most importantly of all, the Cyberster retains classic roadster proportions, with its long hood, short rear deck and lack of any overhangs. These classic design cues tie the car to its spiritual forebears and yet the car still feels bang up-to-date.
DESIGN ELEMENTHERITAGE LINKMODERN INTERPRETATION Low-slung profile MGB and MG Midget Improved aerodynamics Distinctive grille MG octagon badge heritage Modernised for EV cooling Union Jack taillights British heritage LED tech with animated features Two-seat configuration Classic roadster shape Digital-focused interior Scissor doors None (MG innovation)WHAT IT IS Dramatic visual statement
Interior Innovation
Climb into the Cyberster and you’ll find an interior that blends driver-focused ergonomics with state-of-the-art technology. The dashboard is dominated by the twin digital displays, showing everything you need to see in a neat and tidy layout.
Also debatable with the purists may be the yoke-style steering wheel, but it provides a clear line of sight to the instruments and emphasizes the tech-forward feel of the car. Racing-inspired controls make sure everything you need is close at hand, and the car’s sport-inspired intention is clear.
Material selections combine premium touchpoints and sustainable choices. Recycled fabrics and responsibly sourced leather alternatives show MG’s attention to environmental matters beyond the zero-emission powertrain. These are also good-looking materials, and they also fit today’s tastes.
There’s also clever consideration of storage space, often an afterthought in sports cars. Doors have clever storage spaces for everyday items, and the Cyberster is more sensible than the majority of rivals when it comes to everyday driving. That practicality has always been the hallmark of the best MG sports cars.
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Performance Credentials
Electric Powertrain Electrify It Motor (Front & Rear): 136HP Max Power: 408HP Max Level Of Performance: 675NM PERFORMANCE Maximum Speed: 165 KM/H (DDVv2) hTrust ran a top speed of 176 km/h 0-100 KM/H: 6.8 SECONDS Range: more than 250 KM (based on HWF cycle) REVEAL INFORMATION Battery Capacity (200V): 50 KW/h Quick-swap Capabilities DETAILS Developed: 60 Month Average Developer’s Age: 35 Years Number Of Porjects On Development: 3.5 In House Development : 82% Preferred Color By Team: Blue ADD.
At its core the Cyberster is powered by an electric powertrain that is very modern. Competing in both single and dual-motor versions, the numbers are staggering–even when compared to brands that have spent decades producing sports cars.
The dual-motor top-of-the-line variant offers a mix of 500 horsepower that helps to propel the EV to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds. These numbers put the Cyberster on real sports car ground, rather than just on a style orientated convertible.
The battery capacity is somewhere in the region of 75 KWh providing a good compromise between ensuring a viable range but not having its range reduced by weight issues. MG says the Cyberster can go up to 310 miles on a single charge, a lot for a performance-oriented roadster.
Performance Database Model Trophy Edition Power 310 hp (single motor)500+ hp (dual motor)0-60 mph5. 0 seconds3. 5 secondsRange280 miles310 milesTop speed120 mph140 mphCharging speed80% in 35 minutes80% in 30 minutes
Driving Dynamics
That may not sound like a whole lot of fun in a traditional sports car and, of course, electric propulsion flies in the face of traditional sporting values; however, MG’s engineers have gone to great lengths to ensure the Cyberster is no dullard on the road. The low centre of gravity – an inherent benefit of battery location – makes for great high-speed stability in enthusiastic cornering; This lowers the polar moment of the vehicle, giving the driver a more secure and planted feel.
Suspension settings favor tight, precise handling, but don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater when it comes to ride comfort. It’s a dual-character set-up that should ensure the Cyberster works well for weekend blasts and daily commutes alike – the sort of versatility that’s sure to be a hit with the masses.
The customizable regenerative braking system could help drivers dial in the vehicle to their liking. Maximising the regeneration effect allows near one-pedal driving in town and lower settings give a more natural experience for those who want to get sporty on a twisty road.
Most impressively, however, MG has worked its kind of artificial sound system into the car without it ever feeling too much like a gimmick. Drivers can choose among various acoustic profiles, with each one contributing more or less auditory feedback to drivers so they can measure their car’s handling without needing to look at it.
Positioning and Strategy in the Market
Pricing and Accessibility
In keeping with MG’s philosophy of bringing affordable fun to cars, the Cyberster has been pitched as a semi-affordable rival to electric sports cars. And although hardly cheap in absolute terms, it’s considerably cheaper than equivalent products from big name brands.
Base pricing is anticipated to be between $50,000 and $65,000, depending on spec and location. This pricing approach ensures the Cyberster is accessible for some fans who are priced out of owning a modern sports car.
Financial products such as flexible leasing could partially remove the barrier to entry. MG knows that there’s a whole swathe of potential customers who might be trying an electric vehicle for the first time, and lowering the entry barrier is its way of saying, “Please come and take a look.”
Target Demographics
The Cyberster will attempt to attract customers at a few levels. Current owners of MGs are a clear target, especially ones who have wanted to see the brand get back to its sporty roots. These are buyers who come with brand loyalty and enthusiasm.
But MG is also aiming for younger buyers who could not have had any sense of nostalgia for the marque. For these buyers, the Cyberster’s unique design, as well as its digital elements, may prove more appealing than heritage alone. Engagement through social media and digital-first marketing plans will also be essential for appealing to this demographic.
Most intriguingly of all, MG believes it also has an opening among eco-sensitive enthusiasts who want driving thrills without the environmental responsibility that come with performance cars of old. The Cyberster’s zero-emission nature means drivers can fully enjoy its performance capabilities with a clear conscience.
Implications for the Future of MG
Broadening the Performance Portfolio
The Cyberster isn’t designed to be a one-off halo product but the start of a wider performance vehicle strategy. MG bosses have suggested at least other sports models in different niches, such as a junior hot hatch and a cheaper coupe.
This sports car assault coincides with MG’s ongoing foray into mainstream segments. Mastering the art of delivering great value in family cars and SUVs has given the brand a firm financial footing from which to leap with more emotional products such as the Cyberster.
Internal combustion engines won’t be left completely behind in this push for performance. I think it is one thing looking at a hybrid in terms of some of the sporting applications, where an EV solution isn’t right yet. It is a pragmatic approach that would show the firm’s commitment to real-world utility.
Brand Perception Evolution
The Cyberster is an important model in MG’s brand promotion. And though the recent models have been lauded for their practicality and value, they haven’t inspired passion or desire. Except nothing makes you forget about perceptions that might lean toward “sensible choice,” like a real sports car.
Participation in Motorsport may add even more performance credentials. MG has a competition history in multiple racing categories, and a sojourn back onto the racetracks, potentially in an electric racing series, would be a ready-made way to showcase the Cyberster’s potential.
The media reception has already been an enthusiastic one. for the car’s striking looks and 2018 spec in casino, it’s testament to MG’s former days that they’ve managed to somehow construct a genuinely enticing sports car after going without one for so long.
Realities and Challenges in Production
Manufacturers and Distributors
The Cyberster will be produced in cutting-edge production facilities in China, drawing on SAIC Motor’s extensive experience as a premier mass-production automotive manufacturer. Quality control procedures have been prodigiously upgraded to comply with their heightened performance demands.
So it is a bit difficult to distribute globallyLocations that are new to the MG brand. The firm is growing its dealer network in an organic manner concentrating on the right sales environment and technical support network for a high quality electric sports car.
There are still complex supply chain issues, including around battery components. MG has also secured early access to essential materials via SAIC’s supplier relationships, which might put it at an advantage compared to smaller carmakers that are facing shortages of electric vehicle parts.
Challenges of Regulations and Practices
Compliance with a variety of international safety standards is a huge engineering investment. It also has a suite of advanced active and passive safety systems to ensure that even with the charging available, its performance is never compromised – a feat for MG’s engineers in itself.
Just how well-received the Cyberster in various markets will depend, in part, on charging infrastructure, which is also very uneven. MG is working with charging network operators to reassure customers in the ability to use the car for longer trips.
After this, software development is still something of a shebang. Today’s electric vehicles, in effect, are computers on wheels that are constantly updated and refined. MG has massively expanded its software engineering resources to develop its new Cyberster ELECTRIC CAR SALES TAPESTRY starting with the car’s first concept and during the period it will be on sale.
More Than Just a Car
The larger story, of course, is what the MG Cyberster stands for. It’s a manifesto, a statement that this most storied of brands is not about to turn its back on its sporting heritage despite the seismic changes taking place around it.
For those who’ve worried that the age of the affordable sports car was drawing to a close, the Cyberster should provide a look at a future that’s thrilling and green. It’s not a case of the electric powertrain being a compromise, but an opportunity to re-imagine what makes a good MG.
It’s anybody’s guess as to whether it will prove to be commercially successful or not, though. But its very existence is evidence that MG’s guardians get what made the brand special in the first place. This recommitment to fun and feelings bodes well for MG’s next phase.
With the automotive world being revolutionized by electric mobility, Cyberster is a wonderful opportunity for enthusiasts to be part of that evolution while still driving a seriously fun machine. It’s as if MG’s sporty DNA never died.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When can I buy an MG Cyberster?
A: We anticipate the Cyberster will begin reaching dealers in target market regions from late 2023, with worldwide availability rolling out for 2024\.
Q: Can I get a Cyberster with a regular soft top?
A: Not quite – the Cyberster has an entirely semi-automatic hard top that folds neatly away without placing too much of a dent in luggage space.
Q: How large is the Cyberster in comparison with the original MGB?
Q: How much bigger is it compared to the MGB? A: The Cyberster is around 10% larger in every aspect than the original MGB, and this is due to safety requirements and space for batteries.
Q: Will MG go racing with the Cyberster?
A: There’s been nothing official but we know from MG literature there’s a real desire from MG suits for electric motorsport programs that could demonstrate the Cyberster’s performance.
