MG Cyberster reveal delayed to April – report

MG’s first electrical sports activities automotive is now set for a reveal early subsequent 12 months, although the car’s showroom debut remains to be a while away.

Autocar reviews the reveal of the manufacturing MG Cyberster has been delayed, with plans to unveil it at this month’s Guangzhou motor present scrapped because of considerations the present will probably be postponed or cancelled because of COVID-19.

It’s now reportedly set for an April reveal, forward of UK deliveries starting in 2024 as had beforehand been reported – in time for the centenary of the MG model.

The corporate’s native arm can also be weighing bringing the electrical roadster right here, as it is going to be inbuilt right-hand drive.

“We will verify that we’re reviewing the MG Cyberster for the Australian and New Zealand market in proper hand drive configuration and are at the moment exploring totally different variants and specs,” stated a spokesperson for MG Motor Australia in August.

It’ll provide a alternative of single-motor or “very excessive efficiency” dual-motor powertrains in accordance with MG UK business director Man Pigounakis, the previous seemingly sending drive to the rear wheels as on the brand new MG 4.

How precisely it’ll be priced and positioned inside MG’s crossover-heavy line-up is unclear.

“Proper as much as when the [first full-scale production prototype from China] was arriving [in the UK] we had been taking a look at it as a pure successor to the MG F. It’s fully not. It’s in a very totally different sector of the market,” stated Mr Pigounakis.

Whereas its function because the model’s solely sports activities automotive will lend a halo impact, Mr Pigounakis’ remarks level to the manufacturing Cyberster being doubtlessly costlier than had been envisaged.

Based on current trademark filings, MG might name it the C EV – a nod to the previous six-cylinder, MG B-based MG C.

Certainly, MG captioned a current teaser video with “return of the legend”, pointing to the model dusting off an previous nameplate.

The low-resolution teaser video, which was uploaded to MG UK’s social media, offers us a preview of what seems to be the manufacturing Cyberster.

The teaser observe a set of leaked patent photos of the MG Cyberster from earlier this 12 months, which reveal a extra toned-down design in comparison with the preliminary Cyberster idea.

Whereas there are nonetheless curvaceous haunches and daring Union Jack-style tail lights, in addition to a equally aggressive prow, the proportions are fairly totally different from the idea which was hardly production-ready in look.

Overhangs are longer, notably up entrance, whereas the wheels are smaller. There’s an precise roof, too, whereas the headlights are uncovered.

Technical specs haven’t been revealed but, although the idea had a claimed 0-100km/h dash time of three.0 seconds and 800km of vary.

Count on the manufacturing model of the MG Cyberster to have efficiency and vary figures which are slightly extra right down to earth.

MG hasn’t confirmed what platform the car will use, although its new Modular Scalable Platform – which underpins the MG 4 – appears a probable alternative.

The small electrical hatchback presents a alternative of 51kWh and 64kWh batteries, with vary of between 350km and 450km on the WLTP cycle.

The entry-level model, which has been permitted on the market regionally forward of a launch within the first half of 2023, produces 125kW of energy.

One other single-motor rear-wheel drive model is out there abroad and will come right here, and produces 150kW of energy.

Lastly, the MG Mulan – because the MG 4 is thought in China – is obtainable with a 330kW/600Nm dual-motor all-wheel drive powertrain.

This Cyberster may have primarily no competitors as soon as it launches.

Given MG’s positioning extra as a value-oriented model, the manufacturing Cyberster is prone to undercut upcoming electrical sports activities automobiles just like the Lotus Kind 135, due in 2026, and the Alpine A110 alternative that’ll share its platform, in addition to the following Tesla Roadster.

Porsche can also be getting ready an electrical alternative to its 718 Boxster and Cayman, which is due round 2024 or 2025.

Whereas MG has at all times supplied a variety of sedans and/or hatchbacks, relationship again to its founding within the UK in 1924, the demise of the TF droptop in 2011 has result in certainly one of its longest droughts with no sports activities automotive but.