MG wings it! Will this all-electric convertible sports car fly out of UK show rooms? 

If you think the photos look fantastic, just wait until you see it up close. 

That was my treat with the new MG Cyberster all-electric two-seater sports car when I visited MG’s design studio in London’s Marylebone this week to be given a personal tour of both the car and the studio by the firm’s design director Carl Gotham.

As MG makes a welcome return to its sports car roots, the new car was hot from its official global unveiling at the recent Shanghai Motor Show in China where it will be built. 

For although a British brand tracing its roots back to 1924, MG is now owned by Chinese car giant SAIC.

So what’s it like up close? For a start, it’s much bigger than it looks in photographs. 

But it’s beautifully sculpted with some lovely aerodynamic and styling features, and a distinctive rear haunch with arrow-pointing indicators.

The dramatic upwardly lifting scissor-doors have survived to the final production models and look spectacular. The semi-circular aircraft-style steering wheel is likely to be joined or replaced by a standard full-circle version.

Meanwhile, the fold-away hood mechanism is neat and the British-designed roadster looks as good with it up as it does down.

It promises to be a sizzling drive, too — as a sports car with supercar performance.

With the standard single electric version accelerating from 0-60mph in around five seconds, and the more powerful twin electric motor model managing it in just three seconds, or possibly less, I can’t wait to drive it.

Through its history, MG has always had a reputation — especially with models such as the MG Midget, MGB and MGB GT — as the ‘people’s sports car’: great fun at affordable prices for those of middling income.

Impressed: Ray with the stunning new MG that boasts upwardly lifting scissor-doors and a semi-circular aircraft-style steering wheel 

Red hot: The standard single electric version should accelerate from 0-60mph in around five seconds, and the more powerful twin electric motor model managing it in just three seconds

The Cyberster won’t be cheap, but prices will be well below those of other powerful two-seater roadsters on the market, starting from around £50,000 for the single motor and £60,000 for the more powerful dual motor. 

Carl says: ‘It is a special moment for all of us who have played a part in designing this unique car. 

‘The Cyberster will offer MG customers a striking, all-electric roadster which will be as exciting as MG sports cars of the past.’

The Cyberster’s launch next summer will be a highlight of MG’s centenary celebrations.

The car is based on the same flexible platform as the existing award-winning MG4, priced from £26,995, but will cost twice as much.

MG hopes the Cyberster can capitalise on the huge void in the market for an ‘affordably-priced’ electric roadster, though it will still likely ring in at around £50k

The swooping long bonnet pays homage to that of the iconic MGBs of the sixties and seventies

MG said: ‘The two-seater Cyberster marks a keenly anticipated return to sports car production by the MG marque, with the car bringing the story right up to date with a high-performance, all-electric powertrain and modern cabin featuring an array of advanced driver technology.

‘The Cyberster’s stand-out styling draws inspiration from MG’s heritage, with signature design highlights including a distinctive long bonnet, low nose and curvaceous surfaces. 

It will also introduce some striking new features, including scissor doors and a Kammback rear design.’

Founded by Cecil Kimber in 1924 and taking its name from the initials for ‘Morris Garages’, the iconic MG motoring brand became famous for building sporty, exciting and value-for-money cars that are fun to drive.

And as the owner myself for many years of an MG Midget, I can’t wait to get behind the wheel of the latest roadster for some much-missed wind-in-the-hair driving.