Ten Second Review

The MG Cyberster is billed as the world's first affordable EV roadster and it's the most aspirational model this British-influenced Chinese marque has yet brought us. Still remember MG's glory days? Here they are, reinvented.

Background

It's two decades since the MG brand launched a proper sports car - the TF of 1995. Since then, we've had to get used to very different kind of MG - a Chinese company making budget-priced hatches and SUVs, mostly electric ones in recent times. But the marque, these days owned by China's biggest auto maker SAIC, has higher aspirations and these allowed for the development of a halo sports car to replace the TF - this model, the Cyberster.

It's an electric sports roadster, which at launch in the UK made it unique (at least for those prepared to ignore Elon Musk's old Lotus-based Tesla Roadster of 2008). Actually, just about any kind of relatively affordable sports roadster is pretty unique these days; the only combustion ones that remain are the Mazda MX-5 and (more relevantly for this Cyberster's price point) the BMW Z4 and the Porsche 718 Boxster. But those are ageing products. This MG in contrast, feels fresh and forward-thinking, the first sign of the coming convertible electric sports car revolution.

Design and Build

A British design team created this Cyberster's eye-catching curvaceous exterior look, with its powered scissor doors and unusual arrowhead tail lights. The bonnet's as long as it would be if a combustion engine was installed beneath it and the taller stance (because it sits on all those batteries) is disguised by a black gloss hoop circling the cockpit, which visually lowers the shoulders of the silhouette. The short Kamm-style tail is there to improve the aerodynamics of the surprisingly long shape - don't think Mazda MX-5: it's more like a 911. There's over 4.5-metres of length; for comparison, a BMW Z4 is 4.4-metres and the old mid-engined MG TF was 3.96-metres. The boot lid conceals the fabric roof compartment and the motor that powers the retracting top. The wheels are 20-inches in size, fitted out with prominent Brembo calipers. MG says it all provides 'a sense of theatre'.

The interior was styled in Shanghai - which you might guess because there are more screens than in a RadioShack shop window: a centre 10.25-inch display flanked on either side by further 7-inch monitors, with an additional screen in the centre console. The steering wheel (which rather obscures the two outer screens) is three-spoke and unusual, but over-buttoned, with a prominent red starter below the right spoke. Those generous exterior dimensions allow the cabin to feel wide and spacious; it certainly feels a generation on from a Z4 or a 718 Boxster. And there's an up-market feel, thanks to Nappa leather upholstery and microfibre lining. It's practical too, with lots of cubbies - and space behind the seats. A specially-designed wind deflector positioned between the front seats reduces buffeting to a minimum. Out back, there's a 249-litre boot.

Cost of Ownership

We gave you the range figures in our 'Driving' section - 316 miles for the 'Trophy' and 276 miles the dual motor 'GT'. These are somewhat limited by the prodigious kerb weight - around 1,850kg, which is 750kg more than the old TF. The 'GT' weighs 135kg more than the single motor 'Trophy', hence its lower range. To get anywhere near either figure, you'll need to be restrained on throttle, be careful with your choice of drive mode and make full use of the adaptable regenerative braking system.

Charging can be done at speeds of up to 150kW, topping up the 77kWh battery from 10 to 80% in 38 minutes. Residual values should be very high - much more buoyant than for ordinary MG models.

As usual with MG, the warranty is fully transferrable to future owners. Additionally, there's a six year factory warranty against rust, while a year's breakdown cover is also part of the deal. The MG dealer network is growing all the time - the brand expects to shortly have 120 outlets in the UK. At those outlets, a full digital service record of checks and maintenance provides the customer with complete transparency and full access to the service history of their vehicle. You'll be offered a range of MG servicing plans to spread the cost of maintenance for up to seven years.

Driving Experience

You think of a roadster as being light and agile. But this one, unpromisingly, weighs up to 1,920kg. Which is almost the weight of an old MGB heavier than the old MG TF. But then, to be fair, the Cyberster is a significantly larger car than the TF, three times more powerful and twice as quick off the mark, courtesy of its all-electric 77kWh drivetrain. Just how quick you'll go depends on your selection between the two variants on offer. Things kick off with a rear-driven 'Trophy' model that offers 335bhp and makes 62mph in 5.0s. The range is 316 miles.

The alternative is the top 'GT', which adds 4WD and a further motor at the front, boosting power to 496bhp and reducing the 62mph sprint time to just 3.2s. Range is 276 miles. So: fast or frantically fast - your choice. Top speed with both variants is 124mph.

With both variants, there are four driving modes - Comfort, Custom, Sport and Track. Plus there's an adaptable brake regeneration system. The sharp handling meanwhile, comes courtesy of a team led by legendary F1 chassis tuning specialist Mario Fainello, who helped engineer Michael Schumacher's Ferrari-winning years. The power-folding roof can operate in only 10 seconds at speeds of up to 32mph.

Market and Model

Cyberster prices start from around £55,000 for the single motor 'Trophy' version; you'll need around £60,000 for the twin motor 'GT'. The least you get plenty of equipment for that. In addition to the multi-functional steering wheel, there are metal sports pedals, with the leather-style seats available in grey with white accents or black with red. There are five exterior colour choices, from 'New English White' to the vibrant 'Inca Yellow', accentuated by contrasting black lower trim. Including roof fabric and exterior paint colours, there are 32 combinations to choose from.

Standard interior equipment includes the 20-inch wheels, plus an instrument binnacle with a centre 10.25-inch display, flanked by two 7-inch screens, with a further screen on the centre console. Both variants get 'Apple CarPlay' and 'Android Auto' smartphone-mirroring, plus an 8-speaker Bose audio system, ambient lighting, a 360-degree parking camera, a heated steering wheel, 6-way electric seats and paddleshifters for the brake regen system.

An extensive suite of driver assistance features provides additional safety and actively managing traffic conditions via MG Pilot. This includes Lane Change and Lane Keep Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control, Blind Spot Detection, Active Emergency Braking with pedestrian and bicycle detection, Traffic Jam Assist, Intelligent Speed Assist and Intelligent Headlight Control.

Summary

Can one car change the entire public perception of a brand? We think this one can. The Cyberster finally makes MG the kind of brand so many hoped it would be when the Chinese bought it. This is a statement of intent about the company's future. And it's also even more of a British design than a Chinese one. Worth waiting for? In a word yes.

SAIC's description of this, the most powerful MG ever made, as an 'affordable roadster' may be stretching things a bit given the premium asking prices. But these are no more than you'd pay for equivalent combustion-powered roadster models that now seem distinctly yesteryear compared to a Cyberster. On this evidence, the classic sports car genre might have some life left in it after all.