Overview

The revived MG brand has established itself in the UK with a range of worthy, value-led hatchbacks, SUVs and EVs, but the new MG Cyberster will be a real test of the company’s standing on these shores. It follows the two-seat convertible template that established the original MG as a popular brand with enthusiasts, but the running gear is bang up to date courtesy of an all-electric powertrain.

It’s a unique proposition in the new-car market, with no rival offering a similar configuration. The Cyberster is in a price bracket with car such as the Porsche 718 Boxster and BMW Z4, two models that deliver driving engagement and premium quality in spades. It also means the Cyberster is priced at a level to match the Ford Mustang Convertible, along with another recent high-performance EV arrival, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N.

This is our first extensive drive in the car – at the UK launch in Scotland – but we’ll be spending more time in the Cyberster very soon. You can find out more about how we test on Parkers via our dedicated explainer page. But in the meantime, climb in and let’s see if MG has created the perfect electric sports car.

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What’s it like inside?

As well as having dramatic roadster looks, there’s a sense of occasion to the Cyberster every time you get in or out. It’s fitted with a pair of electrically operated scissor doors that open upwards (there are sensors that stop them opening if something is in the way, and you can set the opening height in case you need to account for a low garage roof), and they’re quite the party piece.

Climb aboard, and you’ll find the seats are comfortable and well bolstered, but their position is surprisingly high for a sports car. Line up alongside somebody in a compact hatchback, and you’ll realise that you’re sitting at the same height, which isn’t something you experience in a low-slung Porsche 718 Boxster or BMW Z4.

The Cyberster’s large dimensions (it’s as long and wide as a Porsche 911) mean that there’s plenty of room for two inside, though, and there’s a storage shelf behind the seats that can take a couple of soft bags. The doors have tiny, lidded pockets that will only be suitable for small items such as sunglasses, but there’s a decent glovebox, an armrest cubby and two cup holders on the centre console.

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As well as the space behind the seats, the Cyberster also has a shallow boot. The opening is narrow, but a couple of small suitcases should be able to fit, although you’ll have to load the charging cables in the back somewhere, too as there’s no additional storage beneath the long bonnet.

There’s a 10.25-inch display ahead of the driver that shows vital information, while on either side are a pair of seven-inch touchscreens, but the position of the steering wheel obscures about a third of each display. The left-hand screen has multimedia info and is where Apple CarPlay and Android Auto appear, while the right-hand screen has online information and shows the feed from the car’s reversing camera.

There are shortcut keys on the steering wheel that let you scroll through the different sub menus, although it’s not the most intuitive system to use. The wheel also has a red ‘Super Sport’ button that sharpens response to the accelerator, and paddles behind the steering wheel to adjust the driving mode and the level of the brake energy regeneration.

A fourth touchscreen sits on the centre console. This portrait display switches between the climate controls and drive settings, but it’s also fiddly and can be distracting to use when on the move. Passengers will struggle to help, too, because the large grab handle to the side of the display obscures most of the screen if you’re sat in the left seat.

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MG Cyberster electric motors

MG is offering two powertrain options in the Cyberster, with the Trophy featuring a single rear-mounted electric motor making up to 340hp and 475Nm of torque (pulling power). This model manages a 0-62mph time of 5.0 seconds, and a launch control system that allows you to easily achieve this figure. In comparison, the car’s top speed is modest at 121mph.

The top-spec Cyberster GT has two electric motors for four-wheel drive, and these have maximum total outputs of 496hp and 725Nm. This combination of traction and power means it’s capable of 0-62mph in just 3.2 seconds and it certainly feels punchy. The GT maxes out at 125mph.

Range and charging

Both cars have a 77kWh battery (with 74kWh of that usable) and the Trophy has an official range of 400 miles, while the GT can travel up to 340 miles on a charge.

The Cyberster has a CCS socket located on the passenger side just ahead of the rear wheelarch, with AC charging of up to 7kW available, or 144kW from a suitable DC charger. Plug into the latter and the battery can in theory go from 10-80% capacity in 38 minutes.

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What it’s like to drive?

Searing acceleration helps the Cyberster feel sporty, but the large battery contributes to the car’s quoted gross weight of 2,210kg, which is around 600kg heavier than a 718 Boxster, and the mass certainly makes its presence felt. Under hard braking, the discs and pads feel as if they’re struggling to slow the car down, while the suspension dives and wallows over bumpy B-roads as it attempts to keep the car’s weight in check.

The Cyberster makes more sense as a grand tourer. The suspension soaks up bumps well, and there’s not much wind or road noise at higher speeds, so it’s comfortable. At lower speeds, the eerie sensation of driving a noiseless EV with the roof down means you hear everything around you, although MG has added a couple of synthesised options if you need some background hum. Standard-fit parking sensors and 360-degree cameras mean the Cyberster is easy to manoeuvre, while the light steering also helps in that regard, although it doesn’t offer much feedback, either.

Go faster with the roof down, and you’ll be subject to plenty of buffeting from the wind. There are just a couple of buttresses behind the headrests, while the gap between the seats and stowed roof allows airflow to blow back into the cabin, even when the side windows are up. That means you can’t really avoid having your hair ruffled, particularly at speeds over 50mph. The roof can be raised in less than 15 seconds and at speeds of up to 30mph, though, so you shouldn’t get caught out by the rain. And when the roof is up, it’s well insulated from noise.

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What models and trims are available?

There’s a relatively small difference between the two models. The entry-level Trophy has plenty of kit, including electric operation for the doors and roof, full LED lights, keyless entry and starting (the car is on as soon as you sit in it, so all you have to do is press the brake and put it into Drive), electrically heated and folding door mirrors, and front and rear parking sensors.

You also get 19-inch alloy wheels, electric seats trimmed in leather and suede with heating and memory functions, a heated steering wheel, two-zone climate control, an eight-speaker Bose stereo, 360-degree cameras, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, built-in navigation, connected services and vehicle-to-load capability – where the battery can be used to power external devices.

Spending an extra five grand on the GT gets you the more potent four-wheel-drive powertrain and 20-inch wheels, but that’s it. The only options for both variants are exterior colours, a red canvas roof for cars painted white, silver or metallic grey (for £500 extra), and a choice between a black and red interior finish or a light grey option at no extra cost.

So, has MG boxed clever by getting out of the blocks nice and early with its sexy-looking electric roadster?