MG has confirmed technical specifications of its upcoming Cyberster at the Chengdu Motor Show in China ahead of the roadster’s expected 2024 arrival.
Electric range will be around 580km on a single charge thanks to a 77kWh lithium-ion battery pack, although that is according to the China light-duty vehicle test cycle (CLTC) – WLTP testing will likely see this figure fall.
In the top-spec variant, two motors will power the electric roadster to produce a combined output of 400kW of power and 725Nm of torque.
MG has confirmed the 0-100km/h sprint can be done in 3.2 seconds, quicker than the petrol-powered Ferrari Roma Spider.
This time is slightly slower, however, than the 2.6 seconds previously mentioned by SAIC Motor director of electric driveline engineering Wang Jian when discussing the “crazy” performance of the model.
“Cyberster will have two variants, one single, rear-wheel drive version, and one dual-motor, all-wheel drive variant, though the performance of the single motor model will be less,” said Wang Jian.
A previous Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology filing said the single-motor variant will have a 231kW motor driving the rear wheels, while the more expensive model will use a dual-motor all-wheel drive system with a 150kW motor up front and a 200kW unit at the back.
Top speed is 193km/h in the single-motor variant and 200km/h in the dual-motor variant.
MG has been keeping technical specifications close to its chest since the model was officially unveiled back in April at Auto Shanghai.
At the time, MG explained that its return to the sports car segment is intended to honour the brand’s heritage while celebrating a “new generation of sports car drivers” with an all-electric two-seater focused on the driver experience.
MG says the design inspiration for the Cyberster was the iconic MGB.
The new roadster is quite a bit bigger than the classic model, however, measuring 4535mm long, 1913mm wide, 1329mm tall, and riding a 2690mm wheelbase.
The model is also quite heavy for a roadster, weighing between 1850kg and 1985kg – 700kg heavier than a base spec Mazda MX-5.
Making its public debut at the famed hill climb during the Goodwood Festival of Speed last month, spectators were able to catch a glimpse of the Cyberster’s heritage-inspired body paired with a modern cabin featuring a steering yoke and wraparound displays.
The brand has confirmed customer deliveries are expected to start in the UK and European markets in mid-2024.
A MG Motor Australia spokesperson told CarExpert in Shanghai the car is under strong consideration for our market, although expected arrival on local shores wouldn’t be until later in 2024.
The Cyberster will have essentially no competition once it launches. Given MG’s positioning more as a more mass-market brand, the production Cyberster is likely to undercut upcoming electric sports cars like the Lotus Type 135, due in 2026, as well as the next Tesla Roadster.
Porsche is also preparing an electric replacement to its 718 Boxster and Cayman, which is due around 2024 or 2025.
However, MG has indicated it wants to battle premium brands with some of its upcoming products. We shouldn’t, therefore, expect bargain basement pricing for the Cyberster.
The Cyberster represents a return to the sports car world for MG.
While MG has always offered a range of sedans and/or hatchbacks, dating back to its founding in the UK in 1924, the demise of the TF droptop in 2011 has lead to one of its longest droughts without a sports car yet.
