Electric cars… those fully powered electric motors. Whether one is a fan or not of these vehicles, it’s undeniable that they’re penetrating virtually every automotive segment. From electric golf carts to compact city cars, and even to luxurious SUVs and sedans – electric vehicles are here to stay. Interestingly, one of the last types of cars to go electric seems to be our beloved convertibles. MG, the renowned British brand now under Chinese ownership, presents a new model: the Cyberster.
This electric convertible, blending futuristic design with the latest technological achievements and trends, aims to redefine the experience of open-top driving while also adapting to the new market demands, particularly regulatory requirements related to CO2 emissions.
As a concept in 2021, the Cyberster caught attention with its sleek silhouette and promise of electrifying performance. MG didn’t stop at the concept stage; they brought this vision to reality, showcasing the Cyberster at events like the Goodwood Festival of Speed and the Chengdu Motor Show.
At the heart of the Cyberster lies its electric powertrain, available in two configurations to cater to different driver preferences.
Pushing
The single-motor variant, with 250 kW (335 HP) of power and 350 lb-ft (475 NM) of torque, offers exciting performance, accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in just 5.0 seconds, albeit being the less powerful version. The second option is the dual-motor setup, producing an impressive 375 kW (496 HP) and 535 lb-ft (725 NM), enabling a 0-100 km/h acceleration in just 3.2 seconds. Wow!… considering the car’s weight of over two tons with the driver. However, this is the all-wheel-drive variant. Unfortunately, it performs less admirably in corners. Reviewers tend to describe it more as a Grand Tourer than a go-kart. But that’s probably not the point here. After the bend, you can quickly return to the expected speed.
Both variants feature upward-opening doors, similar to those of a Lamborghini. Is this good? It certainly has a wow effect, but is it a practical solution? In my opinion, no.
The interior
…represents the typical digital era. A 7-inch touchscreen entertainment system compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay is no longer revolutionary but a required standard, yet the 8-speaker Bose audio system raises the bar higher than “standard.” The absence of the classic engine sound will probably effectively fill the gap for the ears. The interior is fully focused on the driver. In my opinion, this is a good solution.
Non classic fuel informations
For me, there are always two questions when it comes to electric vehicles: range (real) and charging time. Range up to 500 km / 316 miles for the single-motor variant and up to 450 km / 276 miles for the dual-motor variant. But these are WLTP data, which must be remembered when planning routes. In my opinion, this is a good result by today’s electric standards. And when it’s time to recharge? MG declares 38 minutes for charging from 10% to 80% battery. For me, it’s still too long, but I guess I’ll have to adjust, or wait for truly revolutionary battery technologies.
How does it look?
For me, quite good. It’s not overstated; it’s not a car that screams it’s electric, which I really dislike. It’s just a well-executed project that (in today’s times) naturally became an electric vehicle, for which I tip my hat. Anyway, see for yourself:
How much for this pleasure?
On the MG UK website, the single-motor version is listed at £55,000, while the 4×4 starts from £60,000. Both amounts are VAT inclusive. Electric convertibles will appear – that’s not in question. The question is whether it’s worth reaching for a Porsche 718 Boxster or BMW Z4 at this budget – their availability is not so certain in the near future.
In summary
A very interesting position in today’s changing market, and I’ll emphasize once again – the demands regarding CO2 regulations. Personally, I’m waiting for a car that will stand between classic internal combustion engines and electric vehicles, i.e., hybrid convertibles in an affordable budget.
