MG Cyberster Philippines: P4.5M Electric Roadster with 535 hp and 3.2s Sprint

Design and First Impressions

The Cyberster wears its heritage on its sleeve. The long hood, the Kamm-back tail, those dramatic scissor doors — this is MG reaching back to the MGB and Midget roadsters of the 1960s and re-imagining them for the electric age. At 4,535 mm long and 1,913 mm wide, it’s a substantial car, not a dainty two-seater. The 20-inch wheels and low-slung stance give it real presence on the road, and the electric soft top folds away in seconds when you want the full open-air experience.

Inside, the cabin wraps around the driver with three screens: a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, a 7-inch central infotainment display, and a 7-inch driver information screen. The materials feel appropriately premium for the price point, and the Bose eight-speaker system fills the cabin well with the top down. It’s a strict two-seater, obviously — the rear deck is where the hard top stows.

Performance and Battery

Under the skin, the Philippine-market Cyberster is the dual-motor AWD variant. Two motors — one per axle — produce a combined 375 kW (535 hp) and 725 Nm of torque. That’s enough to catapult the car from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.2 seconds — supercar territory, and a figure that puts it ahead of the BMW Z4 M40i, its most direct combustion competitor.

The 77 kWh lithium-ion battery (74.4 kWh usable) delivers up to 443 km of range on the MG Philippines claim. Real-world testing tells a more modest story: Autoblog’s week-long test saw closer to 400 km in AWD mode, while EcoFactor’s real-world average came in at 395 km. Switch to the selectable 2WD mode (which disconnects the front motor) and efficiency improves noticeably.

Charging is adequate rather than class-leading. MG quotes 38 minutes for 10-80% DC fast charging at up to 144 kW. The AutoDeal listing confirms 144 kW maximum DC input, though that’s modest compared to the 350-400 kW capability of 800V-platform cars like the Porsche Cayenne Electric or the Ioniq 5.

Key Specifications

Pricing: Premium Roadster, Premium Pesos

The MG Cyberster is priced at P4,500,000 — a single variant, no trim ladder. That positions it firmly in premium territory, undercutting the Porsche Cayenne Electric’s P8.2 million estimate but sitting well above the brand’s mass-market offerings like the MG S5 EV and MG4 Urban. For context, it costs about as much as a well-specified BMW 3 Series or Mercedes C-Class, but delivers performance that rivals supercars.

Converting at the current rate of 63.10 PHP/USD and 95.08 INR/USD:

• PHP 4,500,000 (primary)
• ~$71,300 USD (estimated)
• ~₹67.8 lakh INR (estimated)

For that money, you get one of the fastest-accelerating cars on Philippine roads, plus the only fully electric convertible in the country. There is no direct rival — the closest competitors are the BMW Z4 (combustion, ~P5.5M) and the Porsche 718 Boxster (combustion, ~P7M).

Philippine Driving Reality Check

City Driving: Fun but Heavy

Top Gear PH’s September 2024 review found the Cyberster surprisingly easy to maneuver in the city, with good visibility from the driver’s seat. The instant torque makes darting through gaps in traffic effortless, and the 2,690 mm wheelbase keeps it stable. But at 1,985 kg, this is a heavy car. You feel it in tight parking lots and on EDSA’s stop-and-go stretches. The reverse camera — displayed on the infotainment screen rather than the instrument cluster — drew criticism because the steering wheel can block the view at certain angles.

Long-Distance Travel: Plan Your Stops

With a real-world range of around 400 km, the Cyberster can handle Manila-to-Baguio (250 km) without a charging stop, but a round trip will require at least one 30-minute DC top-up. EcoFactor rated it just 2 out of 5 for long-distance driving, noting that sustained highway speeds in AWD mode drain the battery faster than expected. For longer drives, switch to 2WD mode, drive gently, and plan charging stops at the growing network of DC fast chargers along NLEX and SCTEX.

Flooded Streets: A Serious Concern

This is where the Cyberster faces its biggest Philippine challenge. The ground clearance is listed at 133 mm (AutoDeal) or 116 mm (Expressway.ph) — either way, that’s extremely low for a country where flooded streets are a seasonal reality. There is no published wading depth rating, and the low-slung battery pack sits vulnerable under the floor. While EVs don’t suffer hydrolock the way combustion cars do, water ingress into the battery enclosure remains a serious risk. If you live in a flood-prone area, this car demands caution — or a higher-riding alternative.

High Temperature: Manageable but Not Ideal

The lithium-ion battery is liquid-cooled, which helps in 36-38°C Philippine heat. But running the AC at full blast for occupants comfort, combined with the energy demands of two motors and a 2-ton curb weight, can reduce real-world range by 10-15%. For city commuting with the top down (AC off), the heat is a non-issue. For traffic-clogged EDSA runs, expect the range readout to drop faster than the odometer climbs.

What the Reviews Say

Top Gear PH’s Carlo Chungua gave it a positive review, calling it “very fast — probably one of the fastest-accelerating cars I’ve ever drove.” He praised the build quality, comfort, and everyday usability, while noting that it feels more grand tourer than track weapon: “if you want a good-looking roadster that can smoke almost any other car at its price point, then consider the MG Cyberster.”

Autoblog’s week-long test echoed those sentiments, calling the 0-100 time “entirely believable” and appreciating the selectable 2WD mode for improving efficiency. The review noted the suspension prioritizes comfort over razor-sharp handling — appropriate for a grand tourer, but not a canyon carver.

Autocar India’s take: the Cyberster “represents good value” at its price point, with the 77 kWh battery and 3.2-second sprint making it a compelling alternative to the BMW Z4, which costs significantly more. Their main criticisms were the understeer when cornered hard and the lack of brake pedal feel.

How It Competes

The Cyberster occupies a unique niche. As I covered in my BYD Sealion 7 review, the Philippine EV market is growing rapidly, but it’s dominated by SUVs and MPVs. The Cyberster is the only electric roadster. Closest performance rivals are combustion cars like the BMW Z4 M40i (~P5.5M) and Porsche 718 Boxster (~P7M) — both more expensive and both thirsty. Among EVs, the Porsche Cayenne Electric offers far more space and far less drama, at nearly twice the price. The XPENG L03 is a practical EV coupe at a third of the price, while the BYD Sealion 6 DM-i offers plug-in hybrid practicality for under P1.6 million, but it’s a different kind of car entirely.

For buyers who want head-turning design, genuine supercar acceleration, and the open-air experience without the fuel bills, the Cyberster has no direct competitor. It’s a statement car — one that happens to be electric.

The Verdict

The MG Cyberster is not a practical car. It’s a two-seat, 249-liter-trunk, low-slung roadster that weighs two tons and costs P4.5 million. But it delivers something genuinely special: 3.2-second acceleration, scissor doors, and the wind in your hair — all with zero tailpipe emissions. For the right buyer — someone who wants a weekend cruiser that can embarrass supercars at the traffic light GP — it’s compelling. Just keep it away from flooded streets.

If you’re in Metro Manila this weekend, you can see the Cyberster in person at MG’s Multiply Greatness Tour at Ayala Malls Solenad, Nuvali, running October 16-18 alongside the rest of the MG electrified lineup — a fitting counterpoint to the practical EV wave led by brands like VinFast.