Auto Shanghai marks the global premiere of the MG Cyberster

MG is a car manufacturer that originated in the 1920s from a dealership in Oxford called Morris Garages. The company has a celebrated history in the automotive industry for creating iconic sports cars that are revered by car enthusiasts worldwide. The acronym "MG" stands for the dealership's name where the company was established.

During the 1980s and 1990s, MG encountered financial challenges and underwent several ownership transitions. In 2005, a Chinese automaker, SAIC, acquired the company, and the production of MG cars relocated to China. Nevertheless, MG has persisted in producing sports cars that are favoured by drivers worldwide, and the brand retains its iconic status in the automotive sector aiming to revert to its original focus with the upcoming release of the Cyberster, an electric roadster set to be available for purchase in Europe in the coming summer.

At the Shanghai auto show, the production version of the Cyberster was unveiled this week. It closely follows the design of the concept that was initially showcased in 2021, although with slightly more subdued proportions. The car features a streamlined body with a front end that slopes sharply and defined lines that extend into squared taillights, which have LED elements in the shape of arrows that point outwards. The interior is adorned with red leather, and the power-folding soft top adds to the vehicle's stylish appearance. The production roadster also maintains the unique scissor doors that were a feature of the concept.

MG Cyberster: Design

The Cyberster, which was first introduced as a concept in 2021, has been unveiled in its production version at the Shanghai auto show. The design of the production model closely resembles that of the concept, albeit with slightly toned-down proportions. The body has a modern and streamlined appearance, featuring a sharply sloping front end and clean creases that extend into squared taillights with LED arrow-shaped elements pointing outwards. Inside, the vehicle has a stylish interior covered in red leather and comes with a power-folding soft top. The production version of the Cyberster still has the striking scissor doors that were present in the concept.

The front of the vehicle draws inspiration from previous models of MG, featuring streamlined headlights and an illuminated badge that are paired with some bold surfacing. The rear of the car incorporates controversial taillights that are influenced by a graphic representation of the Union Jack flag. While some of the more unusual design aspects from the concept have been omitted from the production model, such as the LED strip on the car's side, the scissor doors have been retained and remain a striking feature.

MG Cyberster: Powertrain and Battery

The electric powertrain of the MG Cyberster will be offered in both single- and twin-motor configurations and has significantly influenced the car's size and dimensions. As a result, the roadster is larger than any previous MG roadster and leaked patent documents have revealed that it will have measurements of 4,535mm in length, 1,913mm in width, and 1,329mm in height, which are comparable to the measurements of a modern BMW Z4. The vehicle's standard wheels will have a diameter of 19 inches, while higher-end models will feature 20-inch wheels.

According to the document leaks, the mechanical details of the Cyberster have also been revealed. The base model will have a single motor that provides 309bhp, while the top-of-the-range version will have dual motors that generate 536bhp, both of which are impressive power outputs. However, the additional weight associated with battery-electric vehicles will reduce the vehicle's performance, with the single-motor Cyberster expected to weigh approximately 1,850kg, and the dual-motor model weighing up to 1,985kg. The top speed of the vehicle is expected to be around 200 km/h.

While no specific information about the battery pack has been disclosed, MG had previously announced that the Cyberster concept could travel 800 km on a single charge and reach 0-100km/h in under three seconds. It is possible that the production dual-motor vehicle, with its power output of over 500hp, could achieve similar performance figures. However, considering the current state of battery technology, it is more realistic to expect a range of around 480 km.