Orders open for MG Cyberster
Following its official unveiling in China over a year ago, MG’s Cyberster roadster is finally coming to Australia. Demonstration units arrived here in April, MG dealers opened orders in June and the first units for local release are expected before the end of 2024. The fully-electric, two-seat convertible will be the first MG sports car to be sold in Australia since the mid-engined TF (nee MG F) was discontinued in 2011.
When it was unveiled in concept form in 2021, the Cyberster turned heads with features like scissor doors, yoke steering and all-digital instrumentation. While the yoke has been replaced with a conventional steering wheel for the production Cyberster, most of the other features from the concept remain, including the scissor doors.
High Price for Fun
Unlike past MG sports cars, which were usually quite affordable, the Cyberster will be a premium model and the most expensive MG sold in Australia by some way. MG Motor Australia’s National Sales Manager, Brad Chruszcz, says the car’s pricing will fall between $100,000 and $150,000, with the exact figure to be confirmed closer to local release in Q4, 2024.
“We’re really excited to be opening dealer orders and our official register for interest in our all-electric roadster,” Chruszcz said.
"The Cyberster pays respect to 100 years of MG creating vehicles that people love to drive. I want it to be Q4 already so we can share our first ground-up, all-electric roadster with Aussie enthusiasts!”
One for Australia
While two variants of the Cyberster will be offered in the UK, with up to three in other markets, Australia will receive just the one specification initially.
“At this stage, the all-wheel drive Cyberster promises to be a compelling yet refined drive as we’re only looking to bring the 77kWh AWD variant to Aussie shores,” Chruszcz added.
Like pricing, full specification for the Australian-delivered Cyberster is yet to be confirmed, but based on specs for the UK AWD model (orders there opened in May, with a RWD option available), the local version should come with the following features:
- Dual electric motors
- 77kWh lithium ion battery (74.4kWh usable capacity)
- 375kW maximum power
- 725Nm maximum torque
- 0-100km/h in 3.2 seconds
- 200km/h maximum speed
- 443km maximum range (combined cycle)
- 19.1kWh/100km efficiency (combined cycle)
- 144kW DC recharge capability
- 31.5-hour recharge (10 to 100% - 2.2kW AC domestic)
- 10.5-hour recharge (10 to 100% - 7kW AC fast charger)
- 61-minute recharge (10 to 80% - 50kW DC rapid charger)
- 38-minute recharge (10 to 80% - 150kW DC rapid charger)
It should be noted that these figures are more conservative than some of the numbers reported last year that included 400kW maximum power and range of up to 800km.
Regardless, the revised 375kW maximum power output trumps a petrol-engined Mazda MX-5 and Porsche 718 Boxster GTS, which peak at 135kW and 294kW, respectively. But it should be noted that both of those convertible two-seaters are naturally aspirated and rear-wheel drive. The latest BMW Z4 with a 3.0-litre turbocharged six-cylinder petrol engine peaks at 285kW. The Cyberster comfortably beats all these rivals in terms of torque, too.
Key dimensions and weights are also unconfirmed, but likely to be as follows:
- 4535mm length
- 2110m width (incl. mirrors)
- 1329m height
- 2690mm wheelbase
- 1616mm front track
- 1629mm rear track
- 1985kg kerb weight
- 249lt boot capacity
- 20-inch alloy wheels
- 245/40 R20 front tyres
- 275/35 R20 rear tyres
To put those dimensions into context, the Cyberster is significantly larger than a Mazda MX-5 and larger than a BMW Z4. Kerb weight of 1985kg is heavier than a 718 Boxster by as much as 550kg and close to 1,000kg more than an MX-5.
Colours and finishes
While the above information is still speculative, what has been confirmed are the Cyberster’s exterior and interior colour options.
Units for the Australian market will be available in red, yellow, silver, grey or beige. In the UK, these colours are described as Dynamic Red, Inca Yellow, Cosmic Silver, Camden Grey and New English White.
All colour choices are available with a power folding convertible hood in black, while silver, grey and beige Cybersters can also be had with a red convertible hood. It should be noted that, in the UK, the red hood is a £500 extra, but whether this premium will apply in Australia is unconfirmed. Chruszcz says the hood can open/close in 15 seconds.
Interior trim is available in black and red, or white and grey. In the case of the black and red option, red features on the steering wheel, door cards and centre sections of the seats, as well as the passenger grab rail in the centre console that separates the two parts of the cabin. In the white and grey option, white is the accent colour, but does not feature on the steering wheel.
More to Come
Further details, specifications and pricing will be revealed closer to the Cyberster’s local release, but initial availability will be limited, according to Chruszcz.
“We will be bringing limited numbers of these cars into the country, so it’ll definitely be a case of supply versus demand, given the interest we’ve already had from the public and our 90-plus dealers."
To order the all-new Cyberster, see your MG dealer.
