The MG Cyberster: A Bold Leap into Affordable Electric Supercars
The automotive world is buzzing with excitement as MG unveils its latest innovation, the Cyberster, a cutting-edge electric roadster that offers supercar features at a surprisingly accessible price. Priced at around AUD $120,000, the Cyberster is setting new standards in the electric vehicle (EV) market, offering a blend of style, performance, and technology that challenges even its more expensive rivals.
Striking Design with Supercar Flair
From the moment you lay eyes on the MG Cyberster, it’s clear that this is no ordinary car. The Cyberster’s design is heavily influenced by the aesthetics of high-end supercars, with one standout feature that instantly grabs attention: the scissor doors. Reminiscent of Lamborghini’s iconic style, these doors not only add a touch of luxury but also offer practical benefits. They make getting in and out of tight parking spaces a breeze and allow drivers to make a grand entrance wherever they go.
The front of the Cyberster is equally impressive, featuring a sleek, sloping nose that gives the car a dynamic and aggressive stance. The design is complemented by intricate light patterns and a few functional vents that enhance the car’s aerodynamics. While some of the vents are purely aesthetic, they add to the overall sporty look that makes the Cyberster stand out on the road.
A Cabin That Marries Style with Functionality
Inside, the Cyberster continues to impress with a driver-focused cockpit that wraps around you, reminiscent of the interior found in the Corvette Z06. The cabin is designed with a blend of high-quality materials, including vegan-friendly leather and Alcantara, ensuring that luxury doesn’t come at the expense of the environment. The two-tone effect adds a touch of sophistication, and for those who want to make a bolder statement, a red interior option is available.
The steering wheel is sporty, with a flat bottom and multiple controls for adjusting driving modes, including a dedicated paddle for the Cyberster’s “Super Sport” mode. This feature, along with others, is controlled via three digital screens that dominate the dashboard. While these screens offer a wealth of information and customization options, some users might find the interface a bit laggy at times, which could be an area for improvement.
Practicality and Comfort in an Electric Roadster
One of the more surprising aspects of the MG Cyberster is its practicality. Despite its roadster design, which typically sacrifices interior space for style, the Cyberster offers a decent amount of storage. The centre console is equipped with USB ports and cup holders that are cleverly designed to retract when not in use, maximizing space. Behind the seats, there’s additional storage with nets to keep items secure, making the Cyberster a viable option for longer trips or daily use.
However, the seating position might be a point of contention for some. Due to the car’s electric skateboard design, which houses the battery pack beneath the floor, the seats are positioned higher than one might expect in a sports car. This might not be an issue for shorter drivers, but taller individuals might find their heads uncomfortably close to the windscreen, potentially affecting the driving experience.
Advanced Features and Technology
The Cyberster doesn’t skimp on modern conveniences. It comes standard with a 360-degree view camera, adaptive cruise control, and ambient lighting with multiple colour options. One particularly innovative feature is the vehicle-to-load (V2L) capability, which allows the car to power household appliances directly from its battery. While the review humorously highlights a failed coffee machine test due to a missing adapter, the V2L function is a forward-thinking addition that could prove useful in various scenarios.
The car also features an active grille that adjusts based on the cooling needs of the battery pack, helping to improve aerodynamics and efficiency. Additionally, the sound system, provided by Bose, delivers high-quality audio, enhancing the driving experience further.
Performance: Power with a Few Caveats
Under the hood, or rather under the chassis, the MG Cyberster is set to impress with its dual-motor, all-wheel drive powertrain that delivers an impressive 375kW and 725Nm of torque. This powerful setup propels the Cyberster from 0-100km/h in just 3.2 seconds, making it one of the quickest-accelerating EVs available in Australia. With a top speed of 201km/h, this sleek roadster doesn’t just look the part—it plays it, too.
In comparison, to achieve a similar level of acceleration, you would need to consider the Porsche 718 Spyder RS, which completes the 0-100km/h sprint in 3.4 seconds. However, the Porsche comes with a hefty price tag of over $335,000, making the Cyberster a more accessible option for those seeking supercar-like performance at a fraction of the cost. While the MG may dominate off the line, the Porsche might edge ahead at higher speeds, particularly beyond the 140-150km/h mark.
The MG Cyberster GT is powered by a 77kWh (74.4kWh usable) lithium-ion battery with nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) chemistry. This battery provides a claimed driving range of 444km on the WLTP cycle, offering a decent distance for most driving needs. Recharging is managed through a port behind a flap in the rear-left wheel-arch, with the battery capable of accepting a maximum DC fast-charging rate of 144kW. While this might be acceptable for a lower-priced EV, it feels slightly underwhelming for a high-performance sports car. A 10-80 per cent charge takes about 38 minutes, which could be a bit of a hassle if you’re planning to use the Cyberster as your daily driver.
For those using the onboard 7kW charger, an AC charge from 10-100 per cent will take around 10.5 hours, making overnight charging a necessity for regular use. It’s worth noting that the single-motor Trophy variant, which is available in the UK but not Australia, offers a longer driving range of up to 509km (WLTP) on a single charge.
Final Verdict: A Unique Offering in the Electric Market
So, should you consider the MG Cyberster? If you’re in the market for an electric convertible that combines style, performance, and practicality at a reasonable price, the Cyberster is a strong contender. However, if you’re looking for the pure, unfiltered driving experience that traditional sports cars offer, you might want to look elsewhere, perhaps at a Porsche Boxster.
