MG evokes fond memories for many. Today, MG is owned by the Chinese conglomerate SAIC, which thus also manages the legacy of the legendary car brand. Now the memories will be brought to life through the MG Cyberster.
Between MGB and Ferrari
MG's new sports car is an electric roadster with performance and handling that can compete with supercars from Italy. Although one can trace similarities between the early MGB and the Cyberster, it is worth noting that at 4,54 meters in length the Cyberster belongs to at least two car classes above the MGB, - more in the same size as the Ferrari 296 Hybrid. Although it shares one thing with the MGB – it is relatively affordable for a sports car. In China, the most expensive model is marketed at a price equivalent to NOK 525. British media expect a price of 000 GBP - approx. NOK 50. In comparison, the Ferrari 000 Hybrid costs over NOK 650 million in Norway.
Marks the 100th anniversary
The last time anyone produced an electric roadster was the Lotus-based Tesla Roadster from 2008 to 2012. It was a signal model to show the potential of electric cars. Until then, electric cars were small, slow-moving cars for short journeys. One can perhaps speculate whether the MG Cyberster is also a signal model, albeit with a different message than Tesla. MG turns 100 in 2024, which will be celebrated with the Cyberster. I also think that more people than I wonder why someone buys one of the world's most famous sports car brands to produce boring everyday cars. SAIC needs a new sports car to remind people of MG's sports car era. I don't think many of today's 30-year-olds know what MGB is.
Promisingly equipped
It is a commitment to develop a sports car under MG. SAIC's design studio is located in London and is led by Carl Gotham . They are the ones who designed the Cyberster. The chassis has been reviewed and "fine-tuned" by Marco Fainello , former chassis dynamics engineer at Ferrari's F1 division in Scuderia. The front suspension is double wishbones and the rear multi-link suspension - with dynamically controlled damping. The ESP system can be completely switched off if you want to "drift". Furthermore, you will find Brembo brakes, Continental braking and stabilization system, intelligent cruise control and the option of remote parking. Many will probably also like the electric scissor doors and triple screen in the dashboard.
Driven on Chinese roads now
On MG's Chinese website, you can order the MG Cyberster now. Chinese car press has had cars made available to them since the end of November this year. Whether these are pre-production cars or production cars is a bit unclear, but already in the spring, pictures of the car were shown in connection with the Guangzhou Auto Show . These were two cars made for taking pictures – one with left-hand drive and one with the steering wheel on the right side. Before this, pictures of the prototype from 2021 were shown. These differ greatly from the production model. SAIC states on its news pages that the UK can expect to receive cars in mid-2024. I assume this also applies to Norway.
Three editions
In China you can get the Cyberster in three versions, where it will probably be the version with "dual motor" that will be most popular in our latitudes. The name of the equipment grades are translated from Chinese. Other designations may be used when the cars arrive in Europe.
Pioneer Edition has a small battery pack of 64 kwh, simple engine of 314 hp and 475 Nm with rear wheel drive. 0-100 stated at 4,9 seconds. Price in China: NOK 467.
The Style Edition has a large 77 kWh battery pack, a single motor with more power, 340 hp and 475 Nm with rear-wheel drive. Price in China: 496,000 kr.
Glamour Edition has a large battery pack, two motors with a total of 544 hp and 725 Nm with 4-wheel drive. 0-100 stated at 3,2 seconds. Price in China: 525,000 NOK.
In addition to the three versions mentioned, it is planned to develop an extreme version, called "Red Hood". The cars can be delivered in the following three colors: Red Flame , Bullet Silver and Light Speedy Yellow . Ranges are stated at 500 and 580 km according to the Chinese measurement standard, which gives more optimistic figures than the WLTP measurements.
MG between MGB and Cyberster
MG is known for its lightweight sports cars. Everyone remembers the 60s icon MGB – a conventional roadster and coupé – beautiful, well-driving and relatively affordable. From 1986, MG, along with what was left of British Leyland, was incorporated into the Rover Group . They further developed the MGB into the RV8 with Rover's V8 engine, while at the same time developing the MGF, a new lightweight model with a mid-engine. In 1995, the Rover Group was sold to BMW. They put the MGF into production until 2000, when they sold MG/Rover back to a newly formed British company called the MG Rover Group . There, a sequel to the MGF was developed, called the MGTF, which was in production until the company went bankrupt in 2005. The estate was bought by the Chinese Nanjing Automobile who within 2 years managed to resume production of the MGTF in China, while restarting MG's production in Longbridge, England, where they sent parts from China for assembly. Production ceased in 2010. In the meantime, Nanjing Automobile had been incorporated into SAIC. The next sports car in the line would be the Cyberster, 14 years later.
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