Right here’s a shock – alongside the MG5 and VS, SAIC Motor Malaysia has additionally previewed the MG Cyberster at this time. The electrical roadster would be the model’s third EV to be bought right here after the MG4 and ZS EV, and it’s radically totally different from both of them.
In contrast to with its different two fashions right here, the corporate has supplied nothing by way of specs or pricing. Nevertheless, it has beforehand confirmed it is going to be launched within the third quarter of the yr, so we will count on it to reach subsequent month except there’s been a delay.
A two-seat roadster, the Cyberster is thus a novel proposition amidst the burgeoning EV phase, its closest competitor being the petrol-powered Mazda MX-5 RF at RM277,000. However the MG is a far cry from that no-frills Japanese sports activities automotive, not when it weights a tonne extra at over two tonnes.
That weight comes courtesy of the electrical powertrain. The Cyberster is offered in two variants, together with the rear-wheel-drive model proven right here that produces 340 PS (250 kW) and 475 Nm of torque. This allows the automotive to get from zero to 100 km/h in 5 seconds flat on its strategy to a high pace of 195 km/h.
Additionally out there is an all-wheel-drive mannequin that has 544 PS (400 kW) and a formidable 725 Nm at its disposal. So geared up, the Cyberster completes the century dash in simply 3.2 seconds, whereas its high pace is prolonged barely to 201 km/h.
However the bit that contributes probably the most to the heft is the battery – a 77 kWh pack comes customary and delivers a WLTP-rated vary of 509 km on the RWD mannequin and 444 km with AWD. The automotive helps as much as 144 kW of DC quick charging, topping up the battery from 10 to 80% in 38 minutes. There’s solely a 7 kW on-board charger, nonetheless, so charging the battery from 10 to 100% utilizing an AC wallbox takes a yawning 10.5 hours.
Taking inspiration from the MGB Roadster, the Cyberster actually cuts a lovely determine, led by a shark nostril entrance finish with almond-shaped LED headlights and a break up decrease air consumption. With little in the best way of decoration alongside the perimeters, the eyes are drawn in the direction of the sharp entrance fender line that sweeps into the doorways, earlier than being picked up the deliciously voluptuous rear haunches.
On the again, you’ll discover in all probability the Cyberster’s second most obnoxious design cue – the Union Jack-inspired taillights that type a literal arrow in live performance with the indications. In fact, you gained’t miss the precise most obnoxious characteristic – a pair of scissor doorways that give the automotive some Lamborghini-style visible drama. The automotive you see right here rides on the biggest out there 20-inch “Jetstream” seven-spoke alloy wheels, though intricate 19-inch “Lightning” rollers are additionally out there.
Step inside and also you’ll discover a cockpit-like cabin that wraps across the driver, out there in both black-and crimson or grey-and-white color schemes. Each occupants sit on plush sports activities seats with six-way energy adjustment, reminiscence and Nappa leather-based and Alcantara upholstery, going through a sporty flat-bottomed steering wheel with paddles for choosing the drive modes and regenerative braking energy.
However the spotlight is the financial institution of screens, consisting of a ten.25-inch digital instrument show that’s flanked by two extra seven-inch touchscreens for controlling the infotainment and vehicular features. One other seven-inch touchscreen housing the dual-zone local weather controls sits on the centre console. Different options embrace Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and an eight-speaker Bose sound system.
The Cyberster can be out there with a full vary of driver help options, together with autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise management with cease and go, lane centring help, blind spot warning, rear cross site visitors alert with auto brake, rear collision warning and a door opening warning.
All that’s left is pricing, however as talked about earlier, we don’t know how a lot the Cyberster will price. In Thailand, nonetheless, the only AWD variant retails at 2,499,000 baht (RM318,500), and our EV tax exemptions ought to imply it’ll be barely cheaper right here. Might we then see the RWD mannequin costing properly below RM300,000?
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