MG Cyberster EV Costs As Much As A Porsche 718 In The UK

Starting at £54,995 or about $69k, the Cyberster features 310 hp, rear-wheel drive, scissor doors, and offers up to 316 miles of range

The MG Cyberster turns heads and that’s for good reason. It marks the return of the first two-seater convertible from the now Chinese-owned brand in almost three decades. Additionally, it stands out as one of the very few all-electric two-door convertibles, whether new or used, available on the planet.

Today, following its launch in China, MG announced pricing in the UK. While it’s in line with predictions, it still represents a big bill to swallow when compared to the competition.

The pricing starts at £54,995 (about $68,800 at current exchange rates) for the Cyberster Trophy, a rear-wheel-drive version boasting 335 hp (250 kW) and 350 lb-ft (475 Nm) of torque. It accelerates from 0-62 mph (100 km/h) in 5.0 seconds and provides up to 316 miles (WLTP) of range on a single charge.

For comparison, a similar amount of cash (more or less) can get you into the base Porsche 718 Boxster (£53,800), offering 296 hp (300 PS) and reaching 62 mph in 5.1 seconds, or the latest 340 hp BMW Z4 M40i (£57,350) roadster that does the same sprint in 4.5 seconds.

More: Does The MG Cyberster Live Up To The Legend Of A Classic Like The MGB?

Moving up the range, the Cyberster GT adds a second motor, AWD, and results in a total of 502 hp (375 kW) and 535 lb-ft (725 Nm) of torque. Range dips to 276 miles but this little sports car can blitz the 0-62 mph test in just 3.2 seconds. Priced at £59,995 ($75,000), which is £5,000 more than the base model, it appears to offer a better deal on paper.

However, that pricing might also end up bringing it too close to the upcoming Porsche 718 EV – though that remains to be seen. As at least one tester has revealed, the MG might not be the canyon carver that buyers expect it to be. If that turns out to be true of the Porsche, it would be the biggest news out of Stuttgart in decades. However, it’s more likely that the 718 EV ends up being a formidable performer, potentially overshadowing the MG quickly as a result.

That pricing might put it in direct competition with the upcoming Porsche 718 EV – though only time will tell. As at least one tester has revealed, the MG might not be the canyon carver that buyers expect it to be. If that same criticism applies to the Porsche, it would be a major surprise from Stuttgart. More likely, the 718 EV will be a formidable performer, potentially overshadowing the MG quickly.

On top of that, those fence sitters who are open to both an EV or an ICE convertible have even more options on the table now. The BMW Z4 starts at just £45,135 for the four-cylinder model and the inline-six version has a price of £57,530. Frankly, that’s a very compelling car with excellent handling and an engine that rewards drivers. The Lotus Emira and Toyota GR Supra might not come in convertible form but they’re valid options too. For that matter, the ICE Porsche 718 should be on the shortlist of anyone willing to buy a car like this.