At Auto Shanghai 2023 this week, MG officially confirmed production plans for a high-performance EV sports car called Cyberster. The two-seat roadster marks a return to sportscar production by the brand, but with updated with a powerful all-electric powertrain and contemporary cabin featuring cutting-edge driver technology.
“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 in London. “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.”
MG says that the Cyberster’s styling pays homage to roadsters from MG’s rich heritage with its distinctive long bonnet, low “nose,” and curvaceous surfaces, while also introducing striking new features such as scissor doors and Kammback rear design.
“This is the perfect time to introduce an MG that completely reconnects with our performance DNA and is designed to enthrall the driver on every level,” said Guy Pigounakis, MG Motor UK’s Commercial Director. “MG is all set for an electric, sporting future and it is the perfect way to start celebrating our 100th anniversary.”
Cyberster is expected to arrive for sale in the UK and Europe in the summer of 2024. Tracing its history back to 1924, MG is the British brand famous for building sporty cars, starting with the original MG 14/28 Super Sports car designed by Cecil Kimber. Now owned by SAIC Motor, the “fastest-growing” car brand in the UK has a six-car range of practical and affordable hatchbacks, station wagons, and SUVs designed in Marylebone, London, and manufactured in factories in several countries.
While not much detail was forthcoming from MG on the production car coming in 2024, the Cyberster is a follow-up to the concept of the same name revealed at Auto Shanghai in 2021. That car featured “the world’s first pure-electric super sports gaming cockpit” for the Cyberster concept electric car along with the co-creation platform called MG CyberCUBE. Developed by the team at the MG Advanced Design Centre in London, it had an 800-km (497-mi) range aided by CTP (cell-to-pack) “module-free” battery technology.
Until the 2024 Cyberster production car launch, UK EV enthusiasts can take delivery of the MG4 EV, the country’s second best-selling new electric car. Over 5200 examples have been delivered so far this year of MG’s first all-electric hatchback.
“We had high ambitions for the first quarter of 2023, but couldn’t be happier with what we’ve achieved,” said Pigounakis. “To be positioned just behind Tesla in the new electric car sales chart is an outstanding result, and a mark of the quality and outstanding value for money offered by our range.”
With its sub-£27,000 starting price, the MG4 EV brings battery EVs to budget-minded customers. The brand also offers the £30,495 ZS EV SUV and £30,995 MG5 EV Long Range wagon.