Roadster

Make
Tesla
Segment
Compact

It's been a long time since MG has built a sports car. While the British car manufacturer was associated with lightweight sports cars like the iconic MGB roadster, MG, which has been owned by China's SAIC since 2011, now primarily builds uninspiring compact cars and SUVs.

But what if the MGB was reimagined as a halo car for the 21st century? Enter the MG Cyberster Concept, which reimagines the MGB as a sleek electric sports car to rival the Tesla Roadster. Previewed by official design sketches created by SAIC Design, the MG Cyberster harks back to the company's sports car roots, boasting a long hood, retro-inspired headlights, and illuminated MG logos.

At the back, the original MGB's vertical taillights have been replaced with a full-width lightbar. Potentially, the Cyberster's styling could inspire future models according to MG.

While the original MGB Roadster was powered by a modest 1.8-liter engine, the Cyberster packs a fully electric powertrain. Technical details haven't been announced yet, however, so the Cyberster's electric powertrain remains a mystery for now. Currently, MG produces the ZS EV, an electric SUV with a 44.5kWh lithium-ion battery pack and electric motor producing 141 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. Level 3 autonomous technology also updates the MGB for the modern era. But again, this is a concept.

It remains to be seen if the MG Cyberster will enter production as it's just a design study for now but we're not holding our breath. Making a business case for a low-volume electric roadster isn't easy. On the other hand, this isn't the first time MG has hinted it wants to return to its sports car roots.

Back in 2017, MG presented the E-Motion Concept at the 2017 Shanghai Auto Show, an electric four-seater sports car capable of accelerating from 0-62mph in less than four seconds while delivering a range of over 310 miles. It was slated to enter production this year, but this hasn't happened yet. Let's hope the Cyberster finally enables MG to honor its sports car heritage.