In 1930, Morris Garages (MG) released its first two-seater car, the 14/28 Super Sports. Since then, the British marque has built a reputation around its sports cars and its success in racing. Now, nearly 100 years after the debut of its first two-seater, the brand, now under the custodianship of SAIC Motor (Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation), has released yet another groundbreaking car, the all-electric MG Cyberster.
Related: MG HS (2025) First Drive Review
But before we get into more details surrounding the stylish newcomer, remember that you can sell your car quickly and easily on our website here before you search for new or used MG models on AutoTrader here.
Exterior
As you would expect from a halo model, the Cyberster offers some dramatic styling. Considering that the model is fully electric, the automaker could focus most of its efforts on aerodynamics and design. The dynamic design is functional, directing the air around the vehicle via a series of fins and air curtains, which direct cool air to the front brakes behind those 20-inch machine-finished alloy wheels.
The sides, of course, incorporate scissor doors, which will draw attention wherever you arrive. And then you have the folding roof, a tried and tested unit shared with a German automaker. The soft-top roof takes around 10 seconds to open or close and can be operated at speeds up to 50 km/h.
Move over to the rear, and you will notice the distinct taillamps. While most will refer to the units as arrows, the LED units that are surrounded by the LED lightbar were inspired by the Union Jack flag.
Interior
Step inside the MG Cyberster and you are greeted by a wraparound 3-screen cockpit. In front of the driver features a 10.25-inch main display and two 7.0-inch auxiliary screens which all face towards the driver for easy access. The three displays provide easy access to navigation, media, and key vehicle data. A fourth 7.0-inch touchscreen feature next to the hexagonal drive select unit centrally and is compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
The driver holds onto a flat-bottom multifunction steering wheel, which incorporates the dial for the four drive modes: Comfort, Sport, Custom, and Super Sport. The red button on the right of the steering wheel can also activate the latter. Another drawcard on the interior is the Y-shaped sport seats, which, like the steering wheel, door cards, and other soft-touch areas, are clad with leatherette.
The seats feature 6-way power adjustment and heating for both driver and passenger. For entertainment, owners can use the 8-speaker Bose sound system.
Safety
While the Cyberster have the performance to give you the smile you want from a roadster, it is also very safe. Customers can expect features such as
autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane departure warning, lane keep assist and blind spot monitoring. Furthermore, there is road sign recognition with a speed limiter, driver attention alerts, side door exit warnings, rear cross-traffic alerts, and tyre pressure monitoring.
The driver and the passenger benefit from front and side airbags for a total of four units. Drivers can rely on multiple cameras and front and rear park distance control sensors in the parking lot.
Drivetrain
Things get interesting with the drivetrain. Instead of an engine, the MG Cyberster uses dual electric motors that deliver 375kW and 250Nm at the front and 250kW and 475Nm of torque at the rear. This means that the Cyberster can sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.2 seconds and reach a top speed of 208 km/h.
A 77 kWh lithium-ion battery provides the motors with electricity. At the claimed energy consumption of 19.1 kWh / 100 km, this unit offers a claimed range of 443 km; however, it can be topped up with a maximum AC charge rate of 7 kW or a maximum DC charge rate of 144 kW.
Service and Warranty
The MG Cyberster's price includes a 5-year / 200 000 km vehicle warranty, a 7-year / 250 000 km powertrain warranty, and a 5-year / 100 000 km maintenance plan.
The Drive
We sampled the Cyberster at a test facility, where we conducted some slaloms and lane changes at speed. Furthermore, we took the model on a track to experience higher speeds and acceleration. This writer can attest to its dynamic abilities from the brief time spent behind the steering wheel.
While EV models traditionally have batteries that quickly show their presence in corners, the MG Cyberster's battery is very flat, and the weight is distributed very well. Combined with the well-calibrated suspension, the handling is dynamic in spirited driving conditions, and the weight is barely noticeable.
Where the Cyberster shone was the acceleration from a standstill, cruising speed, and highway speeds. The instant torque and power quickly push the vehicle forward but in a controllable manner. While most will criticise EVs for not providing enough aural drama in spirited driving conditions, the Cyberster has distinct sounds based on your throttle inputs, and you will know that you have the throttle pinned to the floor.
In addition to the sound that this writer enjoyed, the overall build quality and construction feel very good. Even when cruising at highway speeds, very little noise from the outside enters the cabin, even with the soft top. Not just from a performance standpoint but also from a luxury and comfort point of view, the MG Cyberster is ready to take on the premium segment OEMS locally.
Price
Considering the features of the MG Cyberster, not to mention the supercar-like performance off-the-line, this writer believes that the price tag of R 1 399 900 is not just fair but a bargain in the sportscar segment.
