MG Cyberster EV Sportscar Marks Regional Debut At TIME 2023

SAIC-owned British brand MG arguably stole the show at TIME 2023 with the regional debut of the MG Cyberster open-top EV sportscar. (Image: MG Thailand)

Chinese-owned British brand MG has perhaps stolen the show from most other exhibitors at the on-going Thailand International Motor Expo 2023 (TIME 2023). That’s because at the brand’s stand sits the MG Cyberster all-electric sportscar as it marks its regional ASEAN debut at said show.

The Tesla Roadster-rivalling MG Cyberster on display at TIME 2023 is reportedly a top-specced variant featuring the signature red exterior paint matched with a wine red interior. Certainly, the Cyberster’s dramatic scissor doors has caught the attention of Thai show-goers.

Packing a dual-motor, AWD powertrain juiced by a 77 kWH battery, the MG Cyberster boasts 544 PS and 725 NM, thus enabling 0-100 KM/H sprints done in 3.2 seconds. (Image: TIME 2023)

This also means this particular unit harnesses a dual-motor, all-wheel-drive (AWD) setup rated at 544 PS and 725 NM juiced by a 77 kWh battery. Altogether, the setup enables the open-top Cyberster to despatch 0-100 KM/H in a very rapid rate of just 3.2 seconds.

Adding to the rapid speed is the promise nimble and agile handling borne out of the Cyberster’s chassis, which features independent double-wishbone front suspension and multi-link rear suspension setups.

Besides dramatic scissor-doors, the MG Cyberster features a classic fabric soft top - a trait present in MG's sportscar heritage.

Say what you will about the 'wine red' interior, we're just glad the silly 'yoke' steering has been replaced with a more traditional wheel.

Despite displaying a left-hand-drive (LHD) unit, it didn’t stop MG Thailand from opening up the order books for the roadster to local Thais. As such, a right-hand-drive (RHD) version will reportedly be making its way into the Kingdom just north of our Peninsular’s border next year.

MG Thailand didn’t disclose prices, but noted that bookings can be placed at a fee of THB50,000 (approx. RM6,700). Moreover, said bookings can only be placed online via special dedicated portal established especially for the MG Cyberster model.

MG Thailand didn't disclose official prices, but it has already opened order books for the MG Cyberster online, at a fee of THB50,000 (approx. RM6,700). (Image: MG Thailand)

Revealed back in April, the SAIC-owned MG brand’s return into the sportscar space saw it go down the EV path, and its global reveal garnered much fanfare. The excitement amplified following reports that MG ditched the initial Tesla-esque ‘yoke’ steering design for conventional wheel back in July.

With its impending entry into the burgeoning Thai EV market, it’s safe to say that parent company SAIC intends to expand the MG brand’s presence further in and around the ASEAN region. Locally, the brand is present through parallel/grey importers, but industry insiders hint that this might change soon.

Until then, what do you folks think of the MG Cyberster? Are you a little jealous that our friendly neighbours to the north can soon see it pop up on their roads? As always, hit he comments below – and our social media pages – with your take on things…