Cyberster
The MG Cyberster is a two-seat electric roadster unveiled in production form at the Shanghai Auto Show in April 2023. It represents MG’s return to open-top sports cars after a long absence, but replaces the traditional petrol-powered formula with a fully electric drivetrain and a much more dramatic design. Its shape combines a long bonnet, a Kammback-style rear, a fabric roof, and upward-opening scissor doors, an unusual feature for a roadster in this class. MG announced two main European powertrain layouts: a rear-wheel-drive version with one rear motor and an all-wheel-drive version using two motors. In the ScanRacer catalogue, the Cyberster is currently represented by a single Base variant assigned to the 2023 model year.
Variants by year
2023
Model summary
Data from the ScanRacer library, organized to compare versions quickly.
Model introduction
The MG Cyberster is a two-seat electric roadster unveiled in production form at the Shanghai Auto Show in April 2023. It represents MG’s return to open-top sports cars after a long absence, but replaces the traditional petrol-powered formula with a fully electric drivetrain and a much more dramatic design. Its shape combines a long bonnet, a Kammback-style rear, a fabric roof, and upward-opening scissor doors, an unusual feature for a roadster in this class. MG announced two main European powertrain layouts: a rear-wheel-drive version with one rear motor and an all-wheel-drive version using two motors. In the ScanRacer catalogue, the Cyberster is currently represented by a single Base variant assigned to the 2023 model year.
History
The Cyberster originated with a MG concept shown in 2021, but the company confirmed production only in spring 2023. The production car was revealed at the Shanghai Auto Show in April 2023, followed by its first running appearance in the United Kingdom at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in July and its European debut at IAA Mobility in Munich in September. MG was then targeting the first European deliveries for summer 2024. The model has a distinctive position in MG’s recent history. Production of the TF, the previous generation’s final roadster, ended in 2011. The Cyberster is therefore not simply a replacement within an existing sports-car line; it brings a two-seat open car back to a brand whose modern range has mainly focused on compact cars, crossovers, and electric vehicles. Development was closely associated with MG’s Marylebone design studio in London, led by Advanced Design Director Carl Gotham. The project combines references to MG roadsters such as the MGB and MG F with the requirements of a modern electric vehicle. The result is both a symbolic return to MG’s open sports cars and a technical break from the petrol-powered cars that established the marque’s traditional identity.
Generations
The Cyberster does not yet have several clearly established generations. Its first generation is the model introduced in 2023, following the 2021 concept car that previewed the project. This distinction matters: the concept established the overall direction, but the production car revealed in Shanghai received its own body, interior, and production specifications. For now, it is more accurate to describe one inaugural generation than to create artificial historical divisions. Early European information mainly separates the car by drivetrain rather than by generation. The single-motor version is rear-wheel drive, while the higher-performance version uses two motors and all-wheel drive. These should be treated as technical variants of the same model, not as separate generations. The 2023 model year shown in the ScanRacer catalogue should also be read carefully. It is the year assigned within that library, while the public reveal and commercial launch did not occur simultaneously in every market. Production dates, sales launches, and local availability may therefore differ. Equipment changes or trim revisions alone should not be interpreted as evidence of a new generation.
Key differences
The main differences concern the drivetrain and transmission. MG announced a rear-mounted single-motor version rated at approximately 314 hp in European launch information, alongside a higher-performance dual-motor all-wheel-drive version quoted at 544 hp. Performance figures, vehicle weight, wheel designs, and some equipment may vary by market and trim level. The overall identity remains consistent: a two-seat roadster with a fabric roof, scissor-style doors, distinctive rear lighting, and a digital cockpit. A specific power output or battery specification should not automatically be assigned to the ScanRacer “Base” variant when its market and matching technical sheet are not identified. Version names are also not fully consistent between China, the United Kingdom, and European markets.
Photo recognition
The Cyberster is first identified by its very low, elongated roadster profile, with a long bonnet, a rear-set cabin, and a short Kammback-style tail. Its upward-opening doors are the clearest visual clue: they lift vertically rather than swinging out in the conventional way. This feature belongs to the production car and should not be confused with an aftermarket conversion. At the front, the car uses a closed electric-vehicle grille treatment, slim headlamps, and lower bumper air openings. In profile, flush door handles, large alloy wheels, and sharply sculpted sides reinforce its modern appearance. At the rear, the horizontal light signature and lighting elements that extend downward toward the outer edges provide useful identification points. The cabin is distinguished by a group of digital displays arranged around the driver, rather than the analogue instruments associated with earlier MG roadsters. Identifying an exact variant requires more than exterior appearance: badges, wheel design, drivetrain, and original market should also be checked.
Important versions
The version currently represented in the ScanRacer catalogue is “Base”, assigned to the 2023 model year. This name should be understood as a catalogue entry, not as evidence that it was the only configuration sold worldwide. European launch information highlighted two major mechanical configurations: a rear-wheel-drive single-motor car and a dual-motor all-wheel-drive version. Commercial names, equipment levels, and quoted power outputs may differ between countries. Reliable identification should therefore combine the version name with the relevant market, model year, and available technical documentation.
References
- Le Cyberster perpétue la légendaire lignée de roadsters MGMG Motor Europe
- MG au salon de Munich 2023 : premier bain de foule pour le MG CybersterMG Motor Europe
- Comienza la cuenta atrás para la llegada del MG Cyberster a EspañaMG Motor Europe
- MG Cyberster BrochureMG Motor Europe
- MG's £50k Cyberster: a new type of sports car for a new generation?Motor Sport Magazine
- MG Cyberster vs MGB: reimagining the roadsterAuto Express
- https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/articles/road-cars/mgs-50k-cyberster-a-new-type-of-sports-car-for-a-new-generation/motorsportmagazine.com
- https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/mg/360218/new-mg-cyberster-will-cast-its-light-across-brands-whole-rangeautoexpress.co.uk
Frequently asked questions
- What years was the MG Cyberster produced?
- ScanRacer's referenced versions cover 2023.
- How many MG Cyberster examples are documented on ScanRacer?
- 6 published scans from 5 members, with the latest photo added in August 2026.