Ask any classic car enthusiast what defines a true British sports car, and chances are they’ll mention three letters: M, G, and B.
The MG MGB, especially the 1973 model, wasn’t built for speed records. It was built for smiles per gallon. It offered simplicity, connection, and open-air fun at a price that made performance accessible. In short, it was the people’s roadster — a lightweight, nimble machine that offered driver engagement above all else.
Fast forward fifty plus years, and MG — now under Chinese ownership — is back in the spotlight with a dramatic new car: the 2024 MG Cyberster. But instead of carbs and crankshafts, it brings touchscreens, torque, and Tesla-level acceleration.
So, the question is: Can this bold electric newcomer really be called a “roadster”?
Let’s rewind.
The 1973 MGB was powered by a 1798cc inline-four with twin SU carburetors, good for 78.5 bhp and a top speed of around 103 mph. It had a four-speed manual gearbox (with optional overdrive), rack and pinion steering, and 10.75-inch front disc brakes. Acceleration? A relaxed 0–60 mph in 13.7 seconds. But no one cared. It felt alive.
The MGB delivered joy in its purest form — light, mechanical, analog. You felt every vibration through the wheel, heard every click of the gear lever, and smelled the petrol-soaked romance of driving.
The Cyberster couldn’t be more different — or more the same.
Visually, it’s unmistakably modern, with scissor doors, LED Union Jack taillights, and a wide, planted stance. But underneath the drama is a purposeful design that nods to MG’s past. Its proportions echo those of the MGA and MGB: low, long, and road-hugging.
Performance? That’s where things get wild.
🔸 Power: 375kW (approx. 503hp)
🔸 Torque: 725Nm
🔸 0–100 km/h: 3.2 seconds
🔸 Drive: Dual-motor AWD
🔸 Battery: 77kWh with 443km WLTP range
Inside, the Cyberster is fully digital — three integrated screens wrap around the driver, Alcantara and Nappa leather cocoon you in premium comfort, and an 8-speaker Bose system adds the soundtrack. It’s lightyears away from the minimalism of the MGB — and that’s intentional.
Let’s define the term.
A roadster is typically:
🔸 Lightweight
🔸 Two-seater
🔸 Rear-wheel drive
🔸 Manual or direct-feel transmission
🔸 Designed for driving fun, not outright luxury
The Cyberster is undeniably heavier (over 2 tonnes), has no manual gearbox, and uses electric motors instead of petrol-fed combustion. So on paper, no — it’s not a traditional roadster.
But in practice? Things are less clear-cut.
MG has infused the Cyberster with something the MGB had in spades: attitude. It’s not shy. It’s not subtle. It doesn’t pretend to be something it’s not. It’s fast, dramatic, and cheeky — just like MGs of the past, but interpreted through a modern lens.
So, does the Cyberster capture the spirit of the MGB?
Not literally. But emotionally? Perhaps it does.
It redefines what a roadster can be in the EV era. It swaps mechanical feedback for instant torque. It trades simplicity for tech. But it still offers a thrilling, smile-inducing experience — just delivered with electricity instead of petrol.
And maybe that’s enough. Because MG isn’t trying to recreate the past.
It’s trying to honour it, while moving boldly into the future.
The 2024 MG Cyberster won’t appeal to every traditionalist. But for those open to a new kind of driving joy — one that combines the spirit of the ‘70s with the tech of tomorrow — this might just be the most exciting MG in decades.
And in a world of cookie-cutter EVs, that’s something worth celebrating.
