MG Cyberster Roadster revealed – a vision into MG’s aesthetic future

MG has finally revealed the Cyberster Roadster concept ahead of its debut at the Shanghai motor show. Designed to be a looking glass into the future of its design aesthetic rather than a reboot of the classic MG Roadster, the Cyberster’s role as a catalyst, rather than car might limit its appeal to us, but it is a sign the brand’s roadster heritage hasn’t been completely lost.

The concept has been designed in-house at parent company SAIC’s London-based design studio. The MG brand was purchased by Chinese manufacturing giant SAIC in 2006, and reintroduced MG to the UK as a budget brand in 2011. Since then, although the product has been steadily improving, the brand hasn’t quite had a tendency to blip our radar. Until now.

The concept as seen in these sketches is a traditionally proportioned roadster with a long bonnet and small cabin just ahead of the rear axle. Despite retro nods to graphic elements such as the round headlights and illuminated body line down the car’s flanks, the overall design is far more muscular and modern than many a retro-pastiche roadster of the recent past (looking at you, Fiat).

The LED-heavy rear end, and a glimpse of some Mini-like Union Jack rear light graphics reinforce the contemporary overtone, something that’s mirrored by its inevitable electric powertrain.

While the notion of an electric roadster might not immediately raise the pulse rate for enthusiasts at the moment, its chance of becoming a production model is more likely than one powered by traditional internal combustion means considering MG’s investment in EV tech. With the electric performance car quickly escalating in weight, price and size, a small electric roadster might actually be what the sports car market needs for a recharge.