MG unveils a two seater, open top electric roadster

The MG name is synonymous with open-top, two seater driving fun – a reputation built significantly through the MGB that was built from 1962 through to 1980.

Sadly, MG fell on hard times and whilst a few new models (including open top sports cars) were built in the 1990s and early 2000s, both the MG name and manufacturing base have left England and passed through several owners before coming to rest with the Chinese auto manufacturer SAIC.

Since then, the MG badge has been attached to a series of four door sedans, hatches and SUVs – including some of Australia’s cheapest EVs, such as the upcoming MG4. However, to date, none have had any sporting pretentions, let alone offering a two seater rag-top again.

That is about to change. For some time now SAIC has been showing design exercises (and more latterly prototypes) of an electric two seater open top sports car called the Cyberster. That car has now taken another step towards production and sales with the recent showing of a right-hand drive pre-production prototype version in the UK.

At the reveal, MG’s Advanced design director Carl Gotham said:  “It is a special moment for all of us who have played a part in designing this unique car. The Cyberster will offer MG customers a striking, all-electric roadster which will be as exciting as MG sports cars of the past.”

Featuring some of the design elements of the earlier MGs, the Cyberster has a long nose and curvy surfaces, along with the addition of a futuristic (and distinctive) set of scissor doors.

Few other details have been released though. Thus far, all we know is it’ will be 4535 mm long, 1913 mm wide and 1329 mm high, with a likely sub-4 second 0 to 100 km/h time.

The Cyberster is scheduled to begin sales in the UK and Europe by mid-2024, with MG expected to announce further vehicles specifications and details of European public showings soon.

As to whether it will ever be seen in Australia – MG Motors Australia has previously stated they want to bring it here, but no possible date (or pricing) has been set.

Depending on price – it could either become a serious EV competitor to the Mazda MX5 (at around $50,000), or if MG is set at a higher specification and pricing structure it could end up trying to muscle up against the likes of the BMW 4 series or Audi A5 in the $100,000+ bracket – which could be a somewhat harder sell.