2024 MG Cyberster breaks cover

Following a high-profile leak online, the production version of the 2024 MG Cyberster has been unveiled ahead of the battery-electric sports car’s debut at the Shanghai motor show later today.

We’ll have to wait a little longer for full details, but the Chinese-owned British brand is sticking to its promise made a year ago at the launch of the Cyberster concept that it will be built in right-hand drive.

MG Australia has also previously confirmed it is building a case to offer the MG Cyberster in our market.

European sales are now confirmed as beginning in the third quarter of 2024.

An earlier leak from Chinese authorities have already provided plenty of details on the all-new roadster, which will feature a dual-motor powertrain producing a combined output of 250kW.

There’s no data yet on acceleration, but we expect the all-wheel drive drop-top to hit 100km/h in less than four seconds on its way to a top speed of 200km/h-plus.

Measuring 4535mm long, 1913mm wide and 1329mm tall, the reborn MG roadster is considerably bigger than the Mazda MX-5 (620mm longer, 175mm wider and 94mm taller, with a 381mm-longer 2690mm wheelbase), suggesting the Cyberster will offer considerably more space inside, despite being strictly a two-seater.

But the smaller MX-5 also has (light) weight on its side, tipping the scales at just 1062kg. Meantime, the added mass of the MG’s battery pack means it weighs in at a hefty 1985kg.

Heavily influenced by the wild 2021 MG Cyberster concept, the production version features a toned-down design that includes conventional headlights instead of the show car’s ‘Magic Eyes’ that looked like they incorporated eyelids.

Other changes include a completely revised front bumper with narrower twin air intakes, plus the addition of two new triangular air dams below the headlights that look like they direct air to the front brakes and (19/20-inch) wheels. A new lower splitter has also been added.

At the back, there’s an abrupt ‘Kammback’ rear-end and the wild arrowhead tail-light design carries over, resembling the British Union Flag.

New for the production car – as seen in spy pics – is a folding fabric roof in place of the concept car’s retractable hard-top.

In the cabin, it looks like the yoke-style steering wheel is no more, but the concept’s widescreen curved instrument and infotainment display above a high-set centre console remain.

Surprisingly, exotic supercar-style scissor doors will make it to production.

MG’s design boss Carl Gotham said: “Our intention was to create a completely new roadster ready for a new generation of sports car drivers and which opens a bold and compelling new chapter for MG.

“The focus for Cyberster was to create a design that was respectful of the brand’s illustrious past and to bring back that sporting bloodline, while also being absolutely clear that it should be modern and forward-facing like the MG of today, completely in tune with the rapid transition to electric vehicles.”

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