MG Cyberster electric convertible looks set for production

A cut-price convertible from an emerging budget brand promises to change the way people think about performance cars. And it’s likely to come here.

MG is set to go into production with an electric sports car.

MG is set to embrace its classic roots with a two-seat convertible sports car.

Tipped to go on sale in time for the brand’s 100th anniversary in 2024, the machine is likely to be a battery-powered alternative to affordable sports cars such as the Mazda MX-5.

The brand flirted with a sports car comeback with the MG Cyberster concept of 2021.

MG has released teaser images of its upcoming convertible.

MG designer Carl Gotham said at the time that “the Cyberster is a bold statement that looks strongly into MG’s future, touching on our heritage but more importantly building on our cutting edge technology and advanced design”.

“Sports cars are the lifeblood of the MG DNA and Cyberster is a hugely exciting concept for us.”

MG Cyberster sports car concept.

The radical styling exercise promised 800 kilometres of electric range and a sub-three-second dash to 100km/h.

A subsequent production model won’t match the Hot Wheels flair of the Cyberster.

Patent drawings show the real-world version will be a two-seater with a folding fabric roof.

A teaser video published by MG this week suggests it will be an attractive-looking machine, and one of the first convertibles of the modern electric era.

MG Cyberster patent drawings.

MG Australia executive Danny Lenartic said in 2021 that the roadster was “firmly in our plans” for a local debut.

Technical details for the model are scarce, though it makes sense for the compact machine to send drive to the rear wheels through a powerful electric motor.

The production car will have two seats and a brightly coloured cabin.

Established sports car brands such as Porsche, Lotus and Alpine have also announced plans to build compact, battery-powered machines aimed at enthusiasts.

Those brands have recent form building outstanding sports cars such as the Porsche Boxster, Lotus Exige and Alpine A110.

The production version will have design elements borrowed from the Cyberster – including tail-lights inspired by the Union Jack.

While the MG brand is associated with affordable British sports cars, the reborn marque’s Chinese ownership has focused on affordable SUVs and hatchbacks such as the MG3.

But the brand looks likely to broaden its reach in the near future, branching into territory that is both new – and very old – to MG.