The MG Cyberster is the MGB reinvented for 2024

Established in 1924, MG is celebrating its centenary with the global launch of the MG Cyberster electric roadster. The spiritual successor to the MGB Roadster is already on sale in China and will begin arriving at European dealer showrooms later in 2024. In March 2024, I had a chance to experience the MG Cyberster in person well ahead of the global release. Here’s what I found about the new electric sports car.

Design

I think the production MG Cyberster lacks the dramatic design of the concept version from 2020, but it has a special appeal. It has proportions similar to entry-level sports cars like the BMW Z4. Be that as it may, it does not appear as fluidic from the rear as the Toyota Supra.

The silhouette resembles the concept, but that’s about it. The rest of the car has been extensively redesigned to comply with the global homologation rules. The gaping front grille has been replaced with a more conventional unit. It appears aggressive with sharp lines and features a prominent splitter to improve downforce.

There are large honeycomb-shaped openings in the bumper that give it the appearance of being split. Triangular vertical air inlets on the corners, right below the headlamps, resemble BMW’s Z4.

The production Cyberster has a rollover protection unit integrated behind the seats. The sculpted back features swanky but distinctive full-LED taillights. Lit up, the primary LED strip surrounds the pronounced arrow-shaped turn indicators on three sides. The comprehensive diffuser helps improve aerodynamics, besides the car’s street presence.

In contrast to the concept, the production model has a proper roof. Another difference that I’ve noticed is that the overhangs aren’t extremely tight. Thankfully, the scissor doors have been retained. The door handles are concealed, and the sharp tail lamps feature wider arrow-shaped structures compared to those on the concept vehicle.

Interior & Features

As you can see in our exclusive images in this section, MG has created a slightly different version of the interior for markets where it’s not feasible to offer a steering yoke. This version has a flat-bottomed steering wheel instead. In my experience, the compact steering felt grippy and wasn’t obtrusive while viewing the driver information display.

As expected, the interior of the production Cyberster is far less radical than the concept. Even so, I think it looks strikingly more futuristic than some of its gasoline-powered competitors. I’m 5’7”, and for me, ingress and egress were just as I expected. The car’s low-slung body meant some effort was required, but thanks to the scissor doors, there was plenty of space to enter and leave.

Once settled in, I had about five inches of headroom. I think six-foot or taller people might find the headroom short in supply. The lumbar support was good and while the under-thigh support was decent, I had to tuck myself in the seat and press myself back as much as I could to get that.

I liked the quality of buttons and switches in the car but didn’t feel they were luxury-class. I noticed an extensive use of soft-touch plastic on the doors and a smooth upholstery on about one-third of the door width. Overall, I had no complaints about the quality of the materials in the car. 

Triple-screen setup

Behind the steering wheel, there is a triple-screen gaming computer setup with all displays on a single panel. It has rounded corners, and its curvature isn’t exactly subtle. Sitting in the new electric roadster at the 2024 Bangkok International Motor Show, I learned that the center display shows key details like the driving speed, charging percentage, remaining range, etc.

The screen on the right displays additional information like weather, energy consumption, driver profile, etc. The panel on the left allows connecting a smartphone using Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, using navigation, and playing music.

A waterfall center console houses a fourth screen in the car. It’s a tablet-like portrait for adjusting the temperature, changing speaker volume, and operating various other controls of the car. The gear selector is tucked into the same panel, on the right side of the touchscreen (in the RHD version). I also noted that the floor console houses two cupholders and a closed storage box, adding some practicality.

Specifications

Aspect\Specification	Base Cyberster	Mid Cyberster	Top Cyberster
Length	4,535 mm (178.5 in.)	4,535 mm (178.5 in.)	4,535 mm (178.5 in.)
Width	1,913 mm (75.3 in.)	1,913 mm (75.3 in.)	1,913 mm (75.3 in.)
Height	1,329 mm (52.3 in.)	1,330 mm (52.4 in.)	1,331 mm (52.4 in.)
Wheelbase	2,690 mm (105.9 in.)	2,690 mm (105.9 in.)	2,690 mm (105.9 in.)
Drivetrain Layout	RWD	RWD	AWD
Power	231 kW (310 hp)	250 kW (335 hp)	400 kW (536 hp)
Torque	475 Nm (350 lb.-ft.)	475 Nm (350 lb.-ft.)	725 Nm (535 lb.-ft.)
0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) Acceleration Time	4.9 seconds	4.9 seconds	3.2 seconds
Top Speed	193 km/h (120 mph)	195 km/h (121 mph)	200 km/h (124 mph)
Battery Pack	64 kWh NMC	77 kWh NMC	77 kWh NMC
CLTC Range	501 km (311 miles)	580 km (360 miles)	520 km (323 miles)

Driving Impressions

Select motoring journalists have driven the Chinese-spec Cyberster in a single-motor RWD variant and shared their reviews. If the Euro-spec model does turn out to have a different chassis tuning, we believe the changes could be more in favor of improving driving dynamics than comfort.

The Cyberster feels much lighter and more agile than what one would expect from a car that weighs over 4,000 lbs. It’s quick to respond when making turns, and overall is easy and fun to drive.

MG knew the Cyberster would be the first sports car for many customers, so it has engineered the electric roadster such that even novice drivers can have plenty of fun behind the steering wheel. The car turns into corners precisely and offers superb acceleration, but it feels effortless. The Cyberster is just as pleasurable on the passenger seat, brilliantly soaking road undulations and offering great comfort despite a stiff suspension setup.

Price & Release Date

The MG Cyberster will likely be priced at over GBP 50,000 (USD 62,160). It will likely be available in well-equipped trims, as an entry-level grade might not make sense. The electric scissor doors, electric roof, and all the screens will likely come standard. The difference in the configurations should be the performance levels, which allow going “really fast” or “crazy fast.” Officially, the MG Cyberster will arrive in the UK in Summer 2024.

MG in the United States

In 2018, British publication The Telegraph spoke to Alan Magnuson, who managed UK liaison for the MG Car Club in the United States. He estimated that there could be about 30,000 families in America that own MG cars. He claimed that MG produced 511,000+ MGs from 1962 to 1980, and 60 percent of the production was shipped to North America and that more than 50 percent of the MG cars produced after World War II were sold in North America. The MGB and the MGA appear to be local favorites.

MG relaunched in the North American market by entering Mexico in 2020 with two crossover SUVs. In the U.S., the MG brand has been absent for more than 40 years. While it has hinted at the possibility of returning to the United States at least since 2006, previously having aborted plans to set up a production facility in Oklahoma (as reported by NYTimes.com), the EV-friendly Biden administration policies could spark conversations at the highest levels in the Chinese HQ to reopen the file.

TopElectricSUV says

Sports cars are loved by the public, but they hardly ever buy them. The business case for this body type has weakened over the years, leading to the discontinuation of many fabled nameplates, and options have evaporated in the mainstream segments. In the case of MG, the brand is taking a long-term view and not discounting the big PR and marketing gains that an electric sports car launch brings with it.

While MG stands to benefit from a revitalized brand perception among Europeans and others abroad, the Cyberster is sure to also be a major win for consumers who are looking for an electric roadster that won’t burn a hole in their pocket!