MG Cyberster First Drive Review - Splashin' Fast

Driving in the rain is a skill that few people truly master, especially in a country like ours that sorely lacks proper driver training. Now, throw in a powerful convertible, an ultra-fast racetrack, and a day of torrential rain, and you have a perfect recipe for things to go wrong, very fast. However, when we faced a similar situation, we had little choice but to try our luck with the MG Cyberster.

The Details

Now, the Cyberster is MG’s flagship model in India, and it has a lot going for it. In terms of design, it looks simply brilliant. Sleek profile, flowing curves, and large wheels – it’s a design that oozes intent. The pointed, sleek front end and large headlights and taillights further add to its road presence. However, the Cyberster’s party piece has to be its scissor doors, which open dramatically at the touch of a button. They look cool and make for great visuals. But that’s not all! Their wide opening also makes getting in a lot easier. That said, given its low-slung design, it may not be the most comfortable car to get in and out of for older customers.

Step inside, and the Cyberster continues to impress. With its large screens and generous use of leather in the cabin, it feels suitably premium. The seats are large and comfortable, and the various surfaces in the cabin feel quite plush. Opening and closing the large doors via the dashboard-mounted buttons may require a few tries to get used to at first, but it quickly becomes second nature. Given that it’s a convertible, practicality is not its strong suit. The space inside is somewhat limited, with minimal storage and just enough room for two occupants. Because of the incessant rain, we couldn’t drive it with the roof down, so I can’t comment on that experience. What I can tell you is that with the roof up, the NVH levels are decent and remain well under control.

Powerrrrr…

To borrow Clarkson's adage, you truly grasp the Cyberster's appeal when you put your foot down. Powered by a dual-motor setup, which means all-wheel drive, the Cyberster packs a 77kWh battery, delivering 503bhp and 725Nm of torque. MG claims the Cyberster is Asia's fastest-accelerating EV convertible, sprinting from 0 – 100km/h in just 3.2 seconds. Again, given the rain and the wet track, we didn’t get an opportunity to verify this claim.

The claimed CLTC-rated range of the car is 580km, which is quite impressive. In real-world conditions, however, I’d expect something closer to 400 – 430km, depending on weather conditions and driving styles.

In our brief two-lap stint at the track, the Cyberster accelerated with conviction. Around corners, its low centre of gravity was quite evident, as was the direct steering, perfectly complementing its sports car character. While we couldn’t push it anywhere close to its limits, we did feel the weight of the battery pack, subtly shaping its driving dynamics. How it drives on the road, however, is a question we’ll answer once we’ve spent more time with it.

The real questions, in my opinion, are twofold. First, is the Indian customer looking for an EV convertible in a market that’s not particularly suited to them? And second, will the MG brand be seen as premium enough at this price point? I guess we’ll have to wait and see how customers respond.