FINALLY, an electric vehicle that stirs the emotions.
The MG Cyberster probably ticks many unexpected boxes for petrolheads and sports car enthusiasts.
The MG brand may have a heritage going back a century — releasing several models like the MGB Roadster to send pulses racing — but many would have reckoned it had flatlined when it was sold to SAIC Motor in China when Rover went bankrupt.
But after some ordinary mass-market starts, MG has turned on the charm with an electric roadster.
Review continues after the video
Conventional petrolheads thinking may raise flags and set off alarm bells at the arrival of a Chinese electric roadster. EVs are known for their quietness, which runs against many of the loud features of a roadster.
But, here’s where there’s a huge difference.
The MG Cyberster doesn’t strive to be the perfectly predictable EV.
If anything, it embraces its slight imperfections as part of its character.
Who wants a sports car without idiosyncrasies? After all, it’s a purely emotional bond between car and buyer/driver born not out of necessity, but lust and desire. And, in that vein, it’s the quirkiness of the Cyberster that makes it so audaciously charming.
There’s just enough of jiggle and squeak as the car takes sharp corners or skips over humps. There are gadgets and displays a-plenty. There’s a busy cockpit with a stylishly busy multi-purpose leather steering wheel with the MG logo as a reminder of the brand’s return to form.
Racing Form
Picking up on that vibe, SAIC got Marco Fainello on board to oversee the Cyberster’s development. Fainello developed a reputation as the “rubber man” for his work in tyre dynamics. In 1995, he joined the Scuderia Ferrari Formula One team, working with legendary drivers Jean Alesi and Michael Schumacher, before assuming control of vehicle dynamics for the racing team. He was part of the “Dream Team”, when Ferrari collected six F1 constructors titles and Schumacher won F1 five times.
Bringing that pedigree and appreciation of motoring enthusiasm to MG has resulted in a splendid piece of engineering in the Cyberster.
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Single Or Double
The two variants of the MG Cyberster are quite well endowed. The single-motor, rear-wheel-driven version pumps out 250kW with torque topping off at 475Nm and a top speed of 195kmh. It delivers the century sprint in 5 seconds.
The specs of the double-motor, all-wheel-drive version, reviewed here, pump up the power to 400kW with 725Nm of torque. The resulting surge of energy is delivered in delicious doses as it sprints from 0-100kmh in a scant 3.2 seconds, accompanied by a soundtrack that complements the acceleration.
The Cyberster is loaded with power, but it may take another generation of this model to fully come to grips with how it could handle it better. There are still a few skittish moments, but that just adds to the fun of driving the Cyberster. But, that said, it does a fine job of keeping its line around corners.
Racy And Pacy
That spirit of liveliness and bubbling enthusiasm in how the Cyberster handles is in keeping with its outward appearance.
It has gorgeous design lines, rich with curves and folds to project a sense of anticipation and expectation.
The long sweep of the grooved bonnet ending in a front grille that is neat yet impressive, is matched by a sleek, well-shaped body. The wide-bodied, low-slung convertible looks exciting with the fabric roof (black or red depending on body colour) up or down. And the ensemble is brought to a snappy and sharp conclusion in the short rear with its sculpted form and obvious indicators.
Delightful Congestion
Accessing the cabin via a pair of scissor doors that sweep up at the press of the button — on the door or key fob — lets you into a delightfully cozy space.
The passenger has a grab bar on the centre console, just in case, but the driver is surrounded by a plethora of screens and a steering wheel loaded with features.
It’s really busy and does take a bit of time to adjust as you figure out the driving set up you would like.
The red button with SUPER SPORT on it is key to enjoying the MG better, as it lets you switch to sport mode when you thumb that button, and you feel the all-wheel-drive propel the roadster forward enthusiastically, accompanied by appropriate sounds that keeps pace with the level of energy being delivered.
The Bose sound system adds to the soundtrack, with a compact soundstage that cuts through any external noises when driving with the top down. With the top up, the sound is well contained and you are comfortably cocooned.
Quirky Bits
The Cyberster’s quirkiness can also be areas that could be improved in future iterations. The touchscreens flanking the central display have limited touch functions. Also, the steering wheel runs across the screen, obscuring your vision of the map.
There is no proprietary navigation available in the Cyberster, so you have to rely on your mobile phone, which, unfortunately, has to be wired to function. There are USB A and C slots available in the centre console, but it can get a bit congested in there as the other storage spaces — in the door and the glove compartment — are narrow.
The steering wheel is feature-rich and can be distracting if you’re driving and you tap a button by mistake.
Loading stuff into the boot will require some muscle, given the high ledge. The 200-litre boot space is good for small overnight bags for a weekend escape.
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Pumping Up
With a range of 433km for the AWD and 507km for the RWD version, you can have a reasonable driving trip if you plan your routes. Charging takes about 40 minutes via DC, but more than 11 hours with an AC charger.
Coming in upwards of *S$300K, the Cyberster is far from practical, but it certainly is value for money when it comes to being entertained.
The two-seater brings electrification and excitement together in a rare combination, along with the delights of open-top driving and charming imperfection.
