MG’s Cyberster: A New Era for Affordable Sports Cars?

MG is taking a bold step into the sports car arena with its latest offering, the Cyberster. Priced at $115,000 before on-road costs, the Cyberster is MG’s most expensive vehicle ever sold in Australia, surpassing the brand’s previous high watermark set by the Ford V8-powered ZT 260 two decades ago. But according to Carl Gotham, the studio design director for MG’s parent company, SAIC Motor, this electric roadster may just be the beginning of a new wave of more accessible sports cars for the brand.

Bridging the Gap

In a recent conversation with CarExpert, Gotham expressed his vision for a sports car that would bridge the gap between the high-end Cyberster and MG’s more budget-friendly family models. He envisions a vehicle that is lighter, more accessible, and priced lower than the Cyberster, providing a perfect complement to MG's current lineup.

“The brand’s got such a stable of really great cars. Clearly, it’s famous for doing small, approachable, let’s say easy, sports cars,” Gotham explained. He suggested that a new model could offer a balanced blend of performance and features without being overly extreme, appealing to a broader audience.

The Cyberster: A Modern Interpretation of Classic Design

The Cyberster’s impressive specifications include a dual-motor all-wheel-drive configuration that produces a whopping 375 kW of power and 725 Nm of torque, allowing it to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.2 seconds. While it marks a significant departure from MG’s classic offerings like the MGA and MGB, it draws inspiration from those beloved models in both spirit and design.

Gotham noted that the Cyberster captures the essence of the MGA and MGB, particularly with its streamlined body and aerodynamic features. “We’ve got this more streamlined body – aerodynamics are playing a big effect on cars at the moment, especially EVs,” he said.

The design team aimed to maintain a classic aesthetic while integrating modern elements, ensuring that the Cyberster feels both nostalgic and contemporary. “We wanted it to feel and be appealing as a sports car,” Gotham emphasized, highlighting the importance of retaining an approachable look rather than succumbing to aggressive clichés often seen in modern EV designs.

An Approach That Respects the Past

While the Cyberster is a modern electric vehicle, Gotham made it clear that the design pays homage to MG’s rich heritage without being overly retro. “There’s a few good elements [of MGA/MGB] in there, but it’s not overtly a pastiche of the past. It does pay respect and brings it firmly into the future,” he stated.

The design choices, such as the placement of the windscreen and the softer headlamp features, reflect MG’s long-standing philosophy of being a “relatively soft and approachable” sports brand. This approach sets MG apart from other sports car manufacturers, allowing it to maintain its identity while appealing to new generations of drivers.

Looking Ahead

With deliveries of the MG Cyberster now underway in Australia, the automotive world is keenly watching how this electric roadster will perform in the market. If Gotham's vision for a more accessible sports car becomes a reality, MG could be poised to redefine what consumers expect from the sports car segment.

As MG continues to innovate and expand its offerings, the potential for a new generation of affordable sports cars could not only solidify the brand's reputation but also inspire other manufacturers to explore similar avenues. If all goes according to plan, MG may soon be known not only for its modern electric roadsters but also for reigniting the spirit of affordable, enjoyable sports cars for everyday drivers.