Introduction
There’s something about a convertible sports car that captures the imagination. Ever since watching ‘The Graduate’ as a youngster with Dustin Hoffman in the red Alfa Spider, I’ve been drawn to the thrill of open-top motoring.
My journey with MG began decades ago, and now, after a long hiatus, I find myself behind the wheel of the all-electric MG Cyberster Trophy—a car that promises to blend classic British sports car spirit with cutting-edge technology.
MG Cyberster Trophy: At a Glance
- Single Motor, Rear Wheel Drive
- 250 kW Power
- 0-62 mph in 5.0 seconds
- 121 mph Max Speed
- 316 Miles (Combined WLTP) Range
- 19” Alloy Wheels, Scissor Doors, Fully Electric Hood
- 7” Touchscreen, Wraparound 3-Screen Cockpit
- Android Auto™/Apple CarPlay™
- 8-Speaker Bose® Audio System
From Classic to Contemporary: My MG Story
My MG journey began with a 1969 blue MG Midget, bought for £290 in Liverpool. The romance was short-lived—engine trouble struck on the motorway, and after a series of mechanical mishaps (and a couple of tows from the AA), I had to let it go. Later, I upgraded to a burgundy MGB, which proved more reliable and even survived a tour from Hackney to Nice and back. That car, too, eventually made way to help fund new adventures as I left the UK and chased dreams in Hollywood.
Fast forward forty years, and I’m back in an MG sports car—only this time, it’s electric, futuristic, and a world apart from those early classics. AA Cars used car portal has an array of MGs available from classic to the Cyberster.
First Impressions & Everyday Use
- Exterior: My loan car came in New English White with a black hood (a red hood is also an option). It looks stylish both with hood up and down. It is distinctively MG but more sleek and sophisticated looking than its classic more bullish predecessors. It looks good from every angle and in different lights. But this car also looks great in Inca Yellow – there was one on the EV Rally and it fitted in well with the AA yellow vehicles. It also looks stunning in the Dynamic Red.
- Interior: Entering the cabin, you are getting into a sports car. You feel the MG DNA almost immediately with the sporty steering wheel with high tech paddles and formula one type buttons. This car had black and red interior leather style sports seats with Dinamica inserts and a centre console finished in black camouflage effect. At night I spotted an ambient light around the door panels.
- Controls: I still find it odd to get into a car and it is already running but more unnerving just putting it into Park and getting out and locking it. There is that lingering doubt as to whether it is still running……. Otherwise the controls are quite intuitive. The left-hand screen is slightly obscured by the steering wheel, but voice commands work well, making it easy to interact with the car’s tech.
- Visibility: Despite only a small rear window and sitting low down, I found the visibility fine - even in the rain. The blind spot warning on the side mirrors works really well.
- Driving Position & Comfort: The seat position and firmness are spot on, making even long drives comfortable. You do feel the bumps but that is part of sports car driving. Oh yes and the indicator has an old fashioned clicking noise which I actually grew to like.
- Roof down: We had just a glimmer of sunshine on a cold autumn day so I had to go topless. With my parker, scarf and heated seats and steering wheel on, music cranked up, sport mode on, I went for a spin on some country roads. I didn’t feel cold but felt exhilarated. Lots of outdoor fun.
- Roof & Doors: The fully electric hood is a joy, and driving with the roof down is as exhilarating as ever. The scissor doors add drama, though they do take a while to open and close. If you were a bank robber, it wouldn’t be your getaway car. I did notice a rattle from the left side of the interior roof on the passenger side—a minor niggle, but worth mentioning.
- On the Road: The Cyberster Trophy feels genuinely sporty to drive. This was the two wheel drive version which I did notice once with a slight wheel spin as I pulled out of a wet junction covered in leaves. But it surprised me with how safe and planted it felt on the motorway, even in the rain. It works well as a sports tourer but I’m not sure how agile it would be on an Alpine pass.
- Range: The range lived up to its promise, delivering what it said on the tin—a reassuring trait for any EV owner. In addition, it has effective seat and steering wheel heating if you wish to save a few miles range by not using the blowers.
Verdict
The MG Cyberster Trophy is a bold step forward for the MG brand. It captures the spirit of classic British sports cars while embracing the future with its electric powertrain and modern tech. It looks great and drives well.
This single motor version isn’t quite as fast as the double motor one (but fast enough) and has a better range, and starts from £55,245 RRP. Not cheap but you are getting a sophisticated, stylish, high tech sports car which looks much more expensive than the ticket price.
For those who, like me, have a soft spot for MG’s heritage, love a convertible, but want the reliability and excitement of a contemporary EV, the Cyberster Trophy is a compelling choice. Try it.