MG reveals reborn MGB EV sports car

MG has given us a better look at the Cyberster concept car it will roll out at the Shanghai auto show later this month.

And the message is MG wants Cyberster to go into production, but via a unique crowd-funding strategy that allows individuals to have input into its design and performance.

Now owned by the Chinese automotive giant SAIC, MG will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2024 and the thinking clearly is to pay tribute to the iconic MGB sports car with the Cyberster.

But there’s no sign of an oil-leaking ICE powertrain here. The Cyberster has an all-electric architecture enabling an 800km range and acceleration to 100km/h within three seconds.

The Cyberster also comes with Level 3 autonomous capability. MG also says it can be upgraded, presumably through over the air updates.

Of course that’s all theoretical and claimed for the moment.

What we can see for sure is the styling of this two-seat roadster does acknowledge MG’s past.

Key design features include a slim grille, ‘magic eye’ headlights, front shovel lower lip, a ‘laser belt’ LED side-strip, a two-stage shoulder line and Kammback rear styling. The look is completed by LED tail-lights with arrow indicators.

Part of a new MG Cyber group of products aimed at “young hearted consumers”, MG is inviting interested people to crowd-fund the Cyberster, which then buys them the opportunity to influence the vehicle’s developments.

“MG Cyberster presents the four major design philosophies of the Cyber product line: high-energy romantic design aesthetics, determined mechanical performance, leading smart technology and super-sensing gaming cockpit,” an MG press release states.

The target of the crowd-funding is RMB 50 million (or $10 million). Investing ‘Dream Gold’ as MG calls it, will entitle crowd-funders to have input into six major reviews including pre-concept, interior and exterior design, and product dynamic and static experience.

All users participating in the crowd-funding can also be part of the six major evaluation gateways, including supercar comparison driving experience, national test drive experience, and design clinic.

“The crowd-funding model allows users to determine how MG Cyberster will be mass produced,” the press release adds.

“On the basis of the concept model, users can contribute ideas in terms of interior and exterior color & trim, HMI interface style, intelligent cockpit and control scenarios, and participate in the ‘interconnected ecological co-creation; and so on.”

When the Cyberster is launched, all users participating in the crowd-funding program can also get exclusive co-created models and enjoy customised tax rates and policies in their car loan.

At this stage, the Cyberster and its unique development program do not seemed destined for Australia.

However, MG’s new R Auto ES33 does seem to be a chance for local sale.