Skip advert
Advertisement

We’ve had a ride in the new electric MG Cyberster and it’s NOT what we first thought…

The MG Cyberster is due to go on sale next year with up to 536bhp and scissor doors – and we’ve already had a ride in it

MG Cyberster passenger - front

The hotly-anticipated MG Cyberster electric sports car is finally due to go on sale next summer – and we’ve managed to arrange an early passenger ride in order to get some first impressions. 

With the hype surrounding it perhaps even surpassing that of the ultra-affordable MG4 EV, the MG Cyberster is the brand’s first sports car in almost two decades and features a sleek design that takes inspiration from MG sports cars of old, whilst also looking towards the future.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Speaking to DrivingElectric in 2022, MG head of product and planning, David Allison, confirmed that the Cyberster sits on the same MSP underpinnings as the MG4. Battery sizes are yet to be confirmed, but we suspect that there’s a 77kWh battery mounted low within the Cyberster’s squatted shell, possibly offering a range of over 300 miles.

MG remains tight-lipped regarding the Cyberster’s powertrain, although leaks suggest two powertrains will be available at launch. The first, a single rear-mounted electric motor system, will output 309bhp, while dual-motor cars will improve on this with 536bhp. Each weighs 1,850kg and 1,985kg, respectively, and both are expected to have a top speed of around 124mph.

MG Cyberster ride - interior

Climb inside the MG Cyberster and the first thing you’ll notice are the Lamborghini-style scissor doors. MG’s head of design, Carl Gotham explained: “We’ve not had to compromise much in terms of design to make the production car. It’s obviously a bit more friendly, a bit more approachable design language, which we want to move the brand into.”

Advertisement - Article continues below
Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

That being said, the Tesla-style yoke steering wheel of the show car is now gone; the pre-production model we rode in instead had a more traditional round wheel with paddles to adjust the regenerative braking system. The triple-screen infotainment setup remains, however, with the seemingly well-built cabin offering a cocoon-like sensation, aided by the large central spine that divides driver and passenger.

MG Cyberster passenger - action

As we got underway, it became clear how different the Cyberster is from what we expected; thought by many to be a light-footed and darty Lotus rival, MG’s electric sports car appears to be more of a grand tourer – offering plenty of engagement on twisty road, as well as a smooth and composed manner that makes zero-emissions mile-munching effortless.

You sit pretty low in the MG Cyberster for an EV, but nowhere near as low as something like a Mazda MX-5. The performance from the electric motor is smooth and substantial, but doesn’t quite offer the same slingshot-like sensation one gets from flooring it in, say, a Porsche Taycan.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Things aren’t quite perfect, though; our driver, MG UK’s head engineer Steve Garside commented, “It’s too stiff, especially at the front. Of course, the suspension has to deal with a bit of mass, but it’s rebounding off the road surface too much, especially at low speeds.”

“I’ve already tried a different solution in China – including on a road that I’ve found out there  that is extremely close to UK conditions – and it’s much improved; we know what we want this car to be, and it’s not an extreme, hardcore sports car.”

MG Cyberster passenger - rear

Likely starting from over £50,000, the MG Cyberster will be a rival for the more driver-focused electric Porsche Boxster, which is also due to arrive next year. If MG manages to strike the balance it thinks it can in terms of deft handling and everyday drivability, the Cyberster could be in a class (and league) of its own.

Subscribe to the DrivingElectric newsletter to get our full verdict on the MG Cyberster as soon as we get our first drive…

Skip advert
Advertisement

Hello there, I’m Tom Jervis and I have the pleasure of being the Content Editor here at DrivingElectric. Before joining the team in 2023, I spent my time reviewing cars and offering car buying tips and advice on DrivingElectric’s sister site, Carbuyer. I also continue to occasionally contribute to the AutoExpress magazine – another of DrivingElectric’s partner brands. In a past life, I worked for the BBC as a journalist and broadcast assistant for regional services in the east of England – constantly trying to find stories that related to cars!

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

New Porsche Taycan Turbo GT: specs, pictures and details for 1,100bhp flagship
Porsche Taycan Turbo GT - header
News

New Porsche Taycan Turbo GT: specs, pictures and details for 1,100bhp flagship

14 Mar 2024
Production-spec Tesla Roadster will be unveiled by the “end of year”, according to Elon Musk
Tesla Roadster
News

Production-spec Tesla Roadster will be unveiled by the “end of year”, according to Elon Musk

29 Feb 2024
Major Porsche Taycan facelift brings 421-mile range and over 900bhp
Porsche Taycan - header
News

Major Porsche Taycan facelift brings 421-mile range and over 900bhp

6 Feb 2024
Xiaomi SU7 blurs the lines between car and smartphone
Xiaomi SU7 - front
News

Xiaomi SU7 blurs the lines between car and smartphone

3 Jan 2024

Most Popular

Nissan’s masterplan: 6 new cars by 2026, including next-gen Micra, Leaf successor and revamped Juke,
New Nissan Future models - Picture 1
News

Nissan’s masterplan: 6 new cars by 2026, including next-gen Micra, Leaf successor and revamped Juke,

Nissan has set itself a target of introducing 30 new models globally over within the next two years
25 Mar 2024
Confirmed: New Cupra Formentor will be electric
Cupra Formentor V2
News

Confirmed: New Cupra Formentor will be electric

The future of the Cupra Formentor has been confirmed by the brand’s CEO, Wayne Griffiths. The next generation SUV will be a full EV
22 Mar 2024
New Citroen electric van range on sale: facelifted e-Berlingo, e-Dispatch and e-Relay
Facelifted Citroen vans
News

New Citroen electric van range on sale: facelifted e-Berlingo, e-Dispatch and e-Relay

New Citroen vans get revised looks and extra kit to help them keep pace with rivals
19 Mar 2024