The production-spec MG Cyberster has been revealed thanks to a Chinese government filing, which has also provided some key specifications.
The Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology filing lists a single-motor rear-wheel drive powertrain with 231kW of peak power, as well as a dual-motor all-wheel drive powertrain boasting a front-axle motor with peak power of 150kW and a rear-axle motor with peak power of 250kW.
Top speed is 193km/h in the single-motor variant and 200km/h in the dual-motor variant.
The Cyberster measures 4535mm long, 1913mm wide and 1329mm tall on a 2690mm wheelbase, with a choice of 19- or 20-inch alloy wheels and red or black fabric roofs.
Though it has only two seats, those external dimensions mean it’s 156mm longer than a Porsche Boxster on a 215mm longer wheelbase.
Kerb weight is between 1850kg and 1985kg – over 700kg heavier than a base Mazda MX-5, and 280-415kg heavier than a ZS EV.
It’s unclear just how large the lithium-ion battery pack is in the Cyberster, and what kind of range it offers.
While reports had suggested MG could drop the Cyberster name of the initial concept in favour of the MG C EV nameplate, which it trademarked, the prominent badge on the boot lid would suggest this isn’t the case.
Photos of the interior weren’t included in the filing, however images shared by EvDriveX on Facebook reveal a driver-focused cockpit.
There’s a wraparound display ahead of the driver consisting of three screens, as well as a steering yoke.
The centre stack is also angled towards the driver, while a prominent – and seemingly upholstered – grab handle sits on the passenger’s side.
MG has also employed plenty of brightwork, including around the centre-stack mounted gear selector and on the yoke.
As previous spy photos have revealed, the Cyberster has been toned down slightly from the concept that debuted at the 2021 Shanghai motor show.
There’s still a clear resemblance, however, from the aggressive front bumper to the flowing silhouette and all the way back to the arrow-shaped tail lights.
Autocar reported previously the reveal of the production drop-top EV was delayed to April 2023. It was reportedly set for a debut at last year’s Guangzhou motor show before it was delayed.
The publication now says we shouldn’t expect a reveal at this month’s Shanghai motor show, but that deliveries should still begin in 2024 – in time for the MG brand’s centenary.
MG Australia has told CarExpert the Cyberster is on the cards for Australia and “not too far away”.
How exactly it’ll be priced and positioned within MG’s crossover-heavy line-up is unclear.
“Right up to when the [first full-scale production prototype from China] was arriving [in the UK] we were looking at it as a natural successor to the MG F. It’s completely not. It’s in a completely different sector of the market,” MG UK commercial director Guy Pigounakis told Autocar.
While its role as the brand’s only sports car will lend a halo effect, Mr Pigounakis’ remarks point to the production Cyberster being potentially more expensive than had been envisaged.
Indeed, MG captioned a teaser video with “return of the legend”, pointing to the brand dusting off an old nameplate.
MG hasn’t confirmed what platform the vehicle will use, though its new Modular Scalable Platform – which underpins the MG 4 – seems a likely choice.
The small electric hatchback offers a choice of 51kWh and 64kWh batteries, with range of between 350km and 450km on the WLTP cycle.
Finally, the MG Mulan – as the MG 4 is known in China – is offered with a 330kW/600Nm dual-motor all-wheel drive powertrain, also using the 64kWh battery.
This Cyberster will have essentially no competition once it launches.
Given MG’s positioning more as a value-oriented brand, the production Cyberster is likely to undercut upcoming electric sports cars like the Lotus Type 135, due in 2026, and the Alpine A110 replacement that’ll share its platform, as well as the next Tesla Roadster.
Porsche is also preparing an electric replacement to its 718 Boxster and Cayman, which is due around 2024 or 2025.
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2021 MG Cyberster concept
While MG has always offered a range of sedans and/or hatchbacks, dating back to its founding in the UK in 1924, the demise of the TF droptop in 2011 has lead to one of its longest droughts without a sports car yet.
Should the Cyberster come here, it will serve as part of MG’s expansion of the local range which currently consists of the MG 3 light hatch, ZS small crossover family, and the mid-sized HS crossover.
The MG 5 small sedan is due here this year, while pre-sales have commenced for the MG 4 electric hatchback.
