MG Cyberster concept previews MGB's return

MG Motors has released images and details of an all-new pure-electric concept for a sports car that looks set to be a modern take on the original MGB.

The new images posted overnight by MG's Chinese parent, SAIC, clearly show the Cyberster concept will feature a traditional two-door roadster design that's rumoured to pay homage to the MGB that was launched way back in 1962 and stayed on sale until 1980.

Set to be unveiled later this month at a VIP event in China, the MG Cyberster concept abandons the last MG TF's mid-engine layout for the front engine, rear-drive configuration employed by the original MGB, which even today has a cultish following.

The born-again MGB promises to feature a fully electric powertrain, 5G connectivity and Level 3 hands-off semi-autonomous cruise control, but there's no word on the plug-in sports car's power output, driving range or charging times -- or even whether it will offer petrol power.

However, the EV roadster is expected to be rear-drive, able to cover 500km between charges and have enough power to deliver a sub-four-second 0-100km/h sprint.

There's no word yet on whether the next-gen MG sports car has been green-lit for production, but the design cues incorporated into the Cyberster will reportedly influence all future MG models.

Back in 2017, MG showed a four-seat electric sports car that was originally scheduled for a 2020 on-sale date. It's not known if that car is still planned for production or the Cyberster replaces it.