mReview: MG Cyberster AWD – The Fun Factor

The MG Cyberster is one of the most interesting cars to land on our shores this year and sheds some light on what our electric future might look like. 

The all-new MG Cyberster is unique. For starters, it might be electric but it’s not a crossover or an SUV. Range, practicality, or sustainability are also not its primary goals. Instead, it’s focused on one thing only, fun. 

This two-door convertible is a breath of fresh air in a world where every other car is starting to look and feel largely the same. The Cyberster is the only car of its type in the world right now and that’s not something many brands can claim to have. 

At its core, the Cyberster harks back to MGs of old, with a simple ethos of enjoyable driving dynamics and head-turning looks. And I’m pleased to report that the Cyberster has been successful on both counts. 

This is a stunning vehicle, with a sharp shark-like nose and lovely lines that flow right towards the back of the car. The sleek bodywork also helps with aerodynamics, of course, something that’s crucial on an EV. As far as I’m concerned though, as long as it looks like this, I don’t care if it has the drag coefficient of a brick wall.

Owners of the Cyberster best be comfortable with attracting attention.

Adding to the drama of the Cyberster are its electric butterfly doors and folding roof. This is actually the first car I’ve driven with butterfly doors and it's not a feeling I will forget anytime soon. It’s a contagious, childlike glee that takes over anyone who sees and operates them and I’m so glad MG decided to include them. 

A snug yet functional interior with four screens and surprisingly good cargo space.

The topless nature of the Cyberster further compounds its fashionable appeal. The roof can be raised and lowered at up to 50km/h, but it undeniably looks best with the top down. This is a glamorous car, unafraid to flaunt its charm, especially in the striking Dynamic Red paintwork that our test car came in. 

As nice as the Cyberster is to look at, however, equally as important is how it drives. And I’m happy to say that it drives very well indeed. The Cyberster comes in two flavours, the diet single-motor, rear-wheel drive and the full-fat dual-motor, all-wheel drive.

The RWD variant pushes 335hp and 475Nm from its single motor while the fearsome AWD version like our test car makes a whopping 536hp and 725Nm. Acceleration is expectedly rapid too, just 3.2 seconds needed for the AWD Cyberster to hit 100km/h from a standstill. 

A Bose-branded sound system comes as standard.

When the going gets twisty, you really start to feel what the Cyberster is made of. First off, some gripes, it definitely doesn’t feel like it was meant to be an out-and-out performance vehicle and with brakes that could be much stronger, the Cyberster isn’t going to be breaking track records anytime soon. 

The indicators and taillights are in an arrow shape which I love.

However, the Cyberster’s suspension has been tuned perfectly to be a brilliant grand tourer. It gently carves through the bends with a playful ease and there’s always gobs of power on tap to slingshot you out the other end. The steering weight is adjustable and its direct, helping you to place the fun-sized fun-mobile anywhere on the road you please. 

The "Go Fast" button.

That’s the real achievement of the Cyberster and what makes it such a fantastic car. It’s just fun. It doesn’t take itself too seriously, it has butterfly doors for crying out loud. It gives me hope that if and when everything goes electric, there will still be cars like the Cyberster with a personality and a soul. 

Perhaps the future isn’t as grey and robotic as we thought after all.

Read More: mReview: 2024 MG4 EV 99kW – Affordable Fun 4 You

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