MG Cyberster previewed in Sydney

MG Motor Australia has previewed its Cyberster electric vehicle to motoring journalists at its Sydney City showroom and has confirmed the convertible sports car will be delivered to driveways in the fourth quarter of this year.

The high-performance Cyberster is a big departure from the Chinese carmaker’s previous focus on affordable and practical motoring in Australia. It will serve as MG’s halo model, showcasing the technological capabilities of the brand. The timing of its arrival is also in line with MG’s 100th birthday celebrations this year and will pay homage to the iconic MGB convertible sports cars of its past.

While MG is keeping some details about the Cyberster close to its chest until the official launch, it has announced the two-seater will come in only one 375kW dual-motor AWD variant. It will be capable of a 0-100km/h sprint in just 3.2 seconds and carry a 77kWh battery, reportedly able to charge from 0-80 per cent in 39 minutes. There are no plans to offer Australian buyers a single-motor rear-wheel drive model.

Headlining its features are those unmissable scissor doors and large 20-inch alloys. The driver-centric cockpit has three screens and an eight-speaker Bose audio system. There’s an electric drop-down hood, storage space in the boot, and different drive modes including a ‘super sport’ option that’s activated via a bright red button on the steering wheel.

While there’s still no definitive pricing for the Cyberster, MG Motor Australia chief commercial officer, Giles Belcher, confirmed they have narrowed it down to between $100,000 and $130,000 (the price band was previously reported up to $150,000), plus on-road costs.

Those figures might sound like a lot, especially considering buyers have been lured to the brand in recent years for its affordable offerings. Currently, MG’s MG4 and ZS electric vehicles are priced at $39,990 and are the second-cheapest EVs available in Australia.

Mr Belcher says the Cyberster is still in accord with MG’s focus on value and it has no natural competitor in the market right now.

MG will be touring the Cyberster in a dealership roadshow where potential buyers will be able view it in the flesh well before its official launch. See below for all the dates and locations:

• From July 22:
  Sydney City MG, 93 O’Riordan Street, Alexandria NSW
  Ferntree Gully MG, 760 Burwood Hwy, Ferntree Gully VIC
• From July 29:
  Alto North Shore MG, 393 Pacific Highway, Artarmon NSW
  Cranbourne MG, 215 S Gippsland Hwy, Cranbourne VIC
• From August 5:
  Macarthur MG, 4 Mill Rd, Campbelltown NSW
  Rex Gorell MG, 11-13 Gordon Ave, Geelong West VIC
• From August 12:
  Pennant Hills MG, 343-355 Pennant Hills Road, Pennant Hills NSW
• From August 19:
  Col Crawford MG, 483 Pittwater Rd, Brookvale, NSW
  Hamilton MG, 272 Brighton Road, Somerton Park SA
  Phillip MG, 158 Melrose Dr, Phillip ACT
• From August 26:
  Central Coast MG, 10 Central Coast Highway, West Gosford NSW
  Newspot MG, 61-69 West Tce, Adelaide SA
• From September 2:
  Newcastle MG, 8 Oakdale Road, Bennetts Green NSW
  Port Adelaide FC, Unit 4/288 Glen Osmond Road, Fullarton SA
  Hobart MG, 120 Campbell St, Hobart TAS
• From September 9:
  Launceston MG, 36 Margaret St, Launceston TAS
• From September 16:
  Gold Coast MG, 1 Bailey Cres, Southport QLD
• From September 23:
  Brisbane MG, 320 Gympie Rd, Kedron QLD
  John Hughes MG, 1/9 Shepperton Rd, Victoria Park WA
• From September 30:
  Indooroopilly MG, Automall West, Level 3/322 Moggill Rd, Indooroopilly QLD
  Wangara MG, 20 Motor Parade, Wangara WA
• From October 7:
  Bartons MG, Level 1, 29 Brandl Street, Eight Mile Plains QLD
  Nedlands MG, 101 Stirling Hwy, Nedlands WA
• From October 21:
  Cairns MG, 84 McLeod St, Cairns City QLD
• From November 11:
  Darwin MG, 364 Stuart Hwy, Winnellie NT