Legendary British Brand Returns To Its Sports Car Roots

Feb. 08, 2022 7:16 AM ET by Jarryd Neves Electric Vehicles / 15 Comments

This would be the perfect way for the brand to celebrate its upcoming centenary.

British sports cars are a rarity these days. Yes, you have Aston Martin and Bentley to offer you a taste of British beef, however, the respective ranges lean toward supercars and grand tourers. Besides, both don't exactly cater toward the everyday consumer, with their hefty price tags.

Back in its heyday, MG was the go-to company for those in the market for a compact and affordable sports car, akin to today's Mazda MX-5 Miata. Simple, fun, and good-looking roadsters such as the MGB and TF still enjoy great popularity with enthusiasts.

Since being purchased by SAIC, the brand has lost some of its grandeur, the badge now associated with value-driven offerings. But that's all set to change, with the company planning on breathing new life into the badge.

As per Autocar, part of this refreshed outlook will lean heavily on the introduction of new models. First previewed last year, the Cyberster concept is an all-electric roadster that pays tribute to MG's past while looking into the future of electromobility. A new product line, dubbed Cyber, will provide offerings to appeal to youthful consumers and enthusiasts alike.

Currently, no carmaker has offered an affordable electric sports car as yet, meaning the Cyberster will be a popular product when it eventually arrives. Carl Gotham, head of design for MG UK, has suggested a toned-down version will make it to dealership floors, saying that it will have a "bold statement that looks strongly into MG's future, touching on our heritage but more importantly building on our cutting-edge technology and advanced design".

The brand has strengthened over the years, selling over 52,000 vehicles in Europe last year. In 2022, the company plans to triple that figure ahead of its goal to reach one million sales, in 100 global markets, by 2024.

First seen at the Auto Shanghai Show in China, production for the svelte-looking MG was approved following a crowdfunding campaign. A quick glance at the performance figures clues one into why it has piqued the interest of so many. Not only is the carmaker promising an estimated range of 500 miles, but a rather appealing 0-62 mph dash of less than three seconds.

Gotham noted, "sports cars are the lifeblood of the MG DNA, and the Cyberster is a hugely exciting concept for us." Now that the brand has re-established itself as a maker of well-made and reliable vehicles, taking a plunge into the sports car segment is now something MG can do. Ahead of the brand's centenary in 2024, this electric roadster would be the ideal way to celebrate the milestone.