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Sports cars are doomed? Not according to MG, which is plotting more models to follow the Cyberster roadster and an inbound coupe version.
Electric Cars
The Cyberster will not be the only sports car in MG showrooms, thanks to a new range of electric ‘Cyber’ models styled by the designer behind the Bugatti Veyron.
First to launch is set to be a coupe version of the Cyberster drop-top – confirmed for next year – which will be closely related to the Cyber GTS concept shown at last year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed car show.
It will join the roadster, which recently added a less expensive rear-wheel-drive variant in Australia to join the all-wheel-drive, 375kW flagship grade.
It is not clear if future MG sports cars will be smaller, larger, cheaper, or even more expensive than the Cyberster, which starts from more than $100,000 drive-away in Australia.
However, they are expected to wear Cyber branding, as the name is turned into a sub-brand for electric models in China pitched at higher prices, and aimed at younger buyers.
“Yes, I think so,” MG new-energy product communications manager Troy Wang told Drive at the Shanghai motor show, when asked if more sports cars will follow the Cyberster.
“Other than sports cars, I think SUVs, all the product lines. We [will] use the new name [for] all Cyber series [models] like CyberX, CyberY, CyberZ.”
The MG executive was speaking shortly after the reveal of the CyberX, a boxy electric SUV concept that is due to reach production in the next two years, and will be made in right-hand drive for Australia.
It may offer range-extender hybrid or conventional plug-in hybrid power, but such an option will not be afforded to the Cyberster, he said.
The CyberX is the first MG styled by Jozef Kaban, parent company SAIC’s new design director, who joined the firm after being relieved of his position as Volkswagen design boss following what reports claim was poor reception to his work among top management in Germany.
“In the future we think we will release more CyberX or CyberYs … within two years,” said Wang.
He acknowledged they are high-end models designed to crown the MG range, each with a price “much [more] expensive than MG has [with] a MG6, MG5.”
Carl Gotham, advanced design director at SAIC’s UK design studio – and a lead figure behind the Cyberster’s styling – told Drive last year a smaller two-door MG is on his wish list.
“I think the Cyberster opens up the opportunity to explore more products.
“Ultimately it's going to be down to generating enough interest in this car, what it does for the brand, and are we going to be able to sell enough to continue to invest in this kind of product.
“From a personal perspective, yeah, I would like to see a lighter version. Not necessarily lightweight, but just a lighter aspect of an idea of a sports car.
“So yeah, maybe this [Cyberster] will hopefully open up the opportunity to explore that in the future.”
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Alex Misoyannis has been writing about cars since 2017, when he started his own website, Redline. He contributed for Drive in 2018, before joining CarAdvice in 2019, becoming a regular contributing journalist within the news team in 2020. Cars have played a central role throughout Alex’s life, from flicking through car magazines at a young age, to growing up around performance vehicles in a car-loving family. Highly Commended - Young Writer of the Year 2024 (Under 30) Rising Star Journalist, 2024 Winner Scoop of The Year - 2024 Winner
