GRR

MG Cyberster is an MGB-inspired EV

01st April 2021
Bob Murray

MG is not above an April 1st joke – this is the firm that in 2019 came up with coloured tyres that painted the road red as you drove along – and the ultimate MG jest would have to be an announcement that it is bringing back the MGB. And that it has duly done today, April Fool’s Day. Except that – apparently – it is not a joke…

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What it is is a rather unlikely idea that goes by a weird name – the MG Cyberster – and is based on a rather iffy drawing of a concept. But, we say again, it’s not a joke – honest – though why they would choose today of all days to announce it is beyond us.

It’s not actually the MGB of course but a modern take on it: a two-seat roadster but all-electric with a claimed 500-mile range, 0-62mph in under three seconds and 5G connectivity. Stay with us on this.

MG says the Cyberster “recalls” the B with its “round headlights and slim grille design” but we’re blowed if we can see any similarity at all beyond the two-seat open-top layout. What we can see are rather strange headlights – they are called Magic Eye and open when you switch them on, and no that’s apparently not a joke either.

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Then there’s the abundance of “laser belt” LED strip lighting outlining the sides, the doors and that very severe Kamm-style rear end. The taillamps project a digital image representing MG’s heritage onto the road surface. Seriously.

“Sports cars are the lifeblood of the MG DNA and Cyberster is a hugely exciting concept for us,” says Carl Gotham, head of the SAIC (MG’s parent) design studio in London where the Cyberster was born.

“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,” says Carl.

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Well, sure. We and surely millions of others around the world are all for MG sportscars again. Under SAIC Chinese ownership MG has carved a successful niche for itself with affordable hatchbacks, crossovers and electric cars, but short shrift has been given to what for many people remains the stereotypical MG: a two-seat roadster.

So are they going to do a sportscar and is this it? Our advice: hold the guffaws until 21st April when MG says it will show the Cyberster at the Shanghai Motor Show. You never know, the Cyberster might be a real looker in the flesh, and they actually might commit to making it. Funnily enough, we really hope so.

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