What remains of the English history of the MG brand, bought in 2006 by the Chinese SAIC? Not much except an idea of ??the unbeatable price and performance ratio. The rise of MG on the European and French market in particular, with a 269% increase in sales in the first quarter of 2023, gives substance to the manufacturer’s long-term installation on its former European bases. He does this with a real local network and not with the nonsense of Internet sales, to absent subscribers at the slightest problem.
And he demonstrates it for the first time with a product totally in the creative spirit of our island neighbors. The Cyberster, unveiled at the Shanghai Motor Show, is indeed worthy of MG’s past, revisited in electric mode. This results in superb and original lines, thanks to the advanced design office of Marylebone in London.
Its director Carl Gotham adds a layer: “the evocative styling of the Cyberster pays homage to the famous roadsters of the rich history of MG: its long front bonnet, with its plunging nose and its curved surfaces, while introducing spectacular innovations like its doors in elytron and its rear face imagined in the manner of a Kammback. »
Will the designer’s enthusiasm carry over to the production model when it goes on sale at the end of the year (and summer 2024 in Europe) with its famous scissor doors? It will be necessary to check on the production model that they are still present as on this “zero” prototype. This gives sensational cachet, supercar style, and adds to the glamor of this bodywork (also see the video here), marked by a very long wheelbase.
This is due to the presence of a large battery with, according to indiscretions from China, a rear-wheel drive version with 231 kW (310 hp) and an all-wheel drive version with 400 kW (536 hp). The first is credited with a largely sufficient 193 km / h but the greedy can try the second, restrained in China to 200 km / h but perhaps not for export.
The rest of the technical part, in particular the weight which will make the big difference with the Mazda MX-5, is still kept secret and we must therefore fall back on extremely attractive appearances, in particular with this beltline encompassing the soft top cover , treated in contrasting black for the best effect. There is also this big grab handle in the cabin, separating the driver’s compartment from the passenger compartment. Also fun, under an LED strip highlighting the boot, are the rear lights in the shape of an arrow “Union Jack” which doubles when the indicator is activated. MG back? On paper, it’s already won. It remains to try this alluring roadster.
