MG Cyberster

The first-ever Cyberster is the culmination of MG's 100-year history as a carmaker that forever changed the rules of motoring and with prices starting at 54,995 Pounds, it's the most affordable GT car you can drive.

2025 MG Cyberster

The MG Cyberster is a fully electric roadster that was imported from China. It is the first all-electric roadster in Britain. The Cyberster served as the catalyst for MG's 100-year history. Although it's two times more expensive than the Mazda Roadster, it's considered the cheapest fully-electric sports car you can drive.

2025 MG Cyberster

The concept-turned-reality exterior design is one of the key points of the Cyberster. From its round-shaped headlights, the arrow-shaped taillights, the racy side skirts, and the Lambo doors that make its statement, its subtleness is all part of the plan for this electric sports car.

2025 MG Cyberster interior

The MG Cyberster's interior is designed to make you feel like you're on top of the world. It has a triple-screen digital display panel, Y-shaped sports seats with Nappa and Alcantara leather, six-way powered seats, 64-color ambient lighting, a BOSE sound system, and dual-zone air conditioning.

2025 MG Cyberster

The Cyberster is offered in two variants. The rear-wheel-drive single-motor variant produces 250KW of power and with launch control, it does 0-62mph in five seconds and a top speed of 121mph while the driving range is good for 316 miles. The range-topping 4WD dual motor variant has 375KW of power with a 0-62 time of 3.2 seconds, 125mph top speed, and a range of 276 miles. That said, the dual-motor variant is as fast as a Mazda Roadster RF but it's quicker from the starting line thanks to its Launch Control.

On the road, the Cyberster is a silent and smooth GT car. But on the track, it reminds drivers of the Porsche 911 in terms of dynamics. For a car weighing nearly two tons, the Cyberster is all show-and-go and the more you drive it, the more addictive it becomes.

Although controversial for a two-ton sportscar, the Cyberster, hence the name, is armed with noticeable safety features such as lane keeping assist, lane departure warning, lane change assist, forward collision warning system with AEB braking, adaptive cruise control, blind spot detection, rear cross-traffic alert, and braking intervention.

MG's return to the sports car business with the first-ever Cyberster is a must-have for speedo boys everywhere. Although it's made in China, it still has the beating heart of a British soldier. This is what 100 years of MG looks like. 100 Years Young.

Photo: MG Motor UK

My FH5 Log: Cyber Cat Coord

2024 marks the 100th anniversary of British carmaker MG and what better way to celebrate MG's centennial than by experiencing one of the most anticipated sports cars of the year?

From Forza Horizon 5's Chinese Stars Car Pack comes MG's first-ever electric sports car, the Cyberster.

Before enjoying MG's centennial gift, let's get to know about the Cyberster.

The first-ever MG Cyberster marks MG’s return to the sports car business since the MG TF. The Cyberster was first revealed as a concept car in 2021, and it made its world premiere at the 2023 Auto Shanghai. It will arrive in British showrooms in the summer of 2024 and select EMEA markets shortly.

The Cyberster comes in two variants: a 313PS single motor and a 544PS dual-motor AWD. The dual-motor AWD variant can go from 0-60mph in 3.2 seconds, has a top speed of 125mph, and has a range of 276 miles.

The Turner twins recently took the MG Cyberster on an epic road trip all the way from London to Shanghai. This adventure was in celebration of the launch of the MG Cyberster and was MG's way of giving a nod to their 100th anniversary. Along their journey, they stopped in various countries in the EMEA region, including Belgium, Germany, Czechia, Hungary, Austria, France, Spain, Monaco, Italy, Turkey, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, the UAE, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, the Philippines, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Hong Kong. This new car from MG looks like a lot of fun to drive and I'm really happy for the Turner twins.

If the Turner twins approved the Cyberster, it's good enough for every Forza Horizon 5 player behind the wheel of MG's all-electric sportscar. MG has a long history of producing no-nonsense sports cars that are easy to drive everywhere. The Cyberster continues that legacy with style.

Having been satisfied with the Cyberster, it's time to prove that it's the real deal by battling against an MG sports car that broke the rules of what a proper sports car is.

Today, in the streets of Guanajuato, the Cyberster is battling against the MG XPower SV, a V8-powered recipe of disaster that got Jeremy Clarkson bumped his head while cornering hard in a certain Top Gear episode. Specifically, the 5.0L V8-powered MG XPower SV-R with the 4-speed AT.

Let's see if my favorite Made-In-China British EV sportscar can rip through the V8-powered disaster machine. Roll the tape.

And now the results...

XPower SV-R - 1m12.022s

Cyberster - 1m04.815s

MG's return to the sports car business with the first-ever Cyberster really is a must-have for Speedo Boys everywhere where MG is sold. It may be made in China but it still has the beating heart of a British soldier who spends too much eating Chinese take-outs from the London Chinatown. This is what 100 years of MG looks like...100 Years Young.

EPILOGUE

With the Cyberster winning my heart after its tango with the V8-powered MG XPower SV-R, it's time for its one-car performance in front of its virtual audience but first...

"Tsumugi...wants to play with the driver."

Good one, Tsumugi-chan. 

Anyway, with Little Miss Tsumugi Suzukaze's programming at the helm of my Cyberster, it's time to take it to a certain EventLab creation that feels right at home with this car. This EventLab creation curated by player JJOEY ROCKET has some cyberpunk vibes if you catch my drift. Feel at home, my Cyberster! Tsumugi-chan's watching your performance right now.

"Tsumugi...happy with the EventLab venue...and the car..."

It may be made in China but the MG Cyberster is officially my new favorite China-made British sports car in the game. What a way to celebrate MG's centennial with this EV sportscar that blends heritage and innovation the MG way.

MG MG3 (3rd Generation)

Over a decade has passed since the MG3 arrived in Britain. With the British carmaker, under Chinese ownership, celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, the only compact car in the MG stable gained its full model change. The all-new MG3 is no longer the MG3 you were familiar with a decade ago.

2024 MG MG3

Starting at £18,495 plus additional costs, the all-new MG3 is a radical departure from its predecessor because, for the first time, it's hybrid-powered but this is not the Toyota Aqua, oh no, because this new model is a lot better than that.

2024 MG MG3

2024 MG MG3 interior

Beginning with the styling, the all-new MG3 features a sleek front view inspired by its all-electric cousin, the MG4, while the rear view looks broadly similar to MG's crossover offerings. It's a bit of a botched job but thanks to its compact sizing, which is an improvement compared to the previous model it replaces, the all-new MG3 feels right at home while cruising through the streets of London. Insert Getaway dialogue here.

The interior is more cutting-edge than before with its 10.25" color touchscreen with Sat-Nav and smartphone integration and with the range-topping Trophy variant, you'll get Heated Front seats, Heated Steering, Leather Upholstery, and Keyless Entry. 

Although the five-seater city car is comfortable, the boot space can accommodate up to 983 liters with the rear seats folded down, which is useful for transporting groceries from one suburb to another.

The all-new features a 102PS petrol engine connected to a 100kW electric motor, generating a total power output of 194PS of power and 313Nm of torque. This is more than what you get from a Toyota Aqua and unlike the Aqua, which only has CVT, the MG3 has a 3-speed AT. The lesser of the two boring ones.

The hybrid powertrain of the all-new MG3 does 0-62mph in 8 seconds and flat-out at 106mph. The CO2 emission is a combined 100g/km.

For a car that weighs over a ton, it feels downright regular to drive for a hybrid city car like this but it's just okay for first-timers behind the wheel. As for safety, the all-new MG3 comes with MG Pilot ADAS consists of Active Emergency Braking, Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning System, Traffic Jam Assist, Intelligent Speed Limit Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control, Driver Attention Alert, and Forward Collision Warning. Blind Zone Detection with Lane Change Assist and Rear Cross Traffic Alert are exclusive to the Trophy variant.

The all-new MG3 is a hybrid city car that's a smart value for your money. It's a radical departure from its predecessor, with improved looks, a new interior, new tech, and new packaging. Its hybrid powertrain is more engaging than the Toyota Aqua. Make no mistake, this is the bargain of the year, like it or not.

Available Colors: Arctic White, Black Pearl, Monument Silver, Hampstead Grey, Battersea Blue, and Dynamic Red.

Photo: MG Motor

My FH5 Log: A not-for-UK MG flagship saloon

When the UK was under the rule of the Labour, the MG Rover lineage offered us the luxury executive midsize saloon called the Rover 75 and its sporty MG ZT counterpart. Although flawed compared to its German rivals, both the 75 and the ZT proved their point until the fall of the MG Rover lineage to the Chinese overlords.

As MG is under the thumb of SAIC, they've created what's known to be their answer to the Audi A4, something that will drive Brits to tears because this is not available in MG's native land, the United Kingdom.

This is the MG7, the one that I obtained from Forza Horizon 5's Lunar New Year Hot Season Playlist after hitting the 20-point target.

Unveiled in 2022, the second-generation MG7 serves as the flagship of the MG lineup in the Chinese market. When it was launched, two variants were offered such as the entry-level 300 VTGI variant with the turbocharged 1.5L petrol engine producing 188PS of power while mated to a seven-speed DCT, and this, the 405 VTGI Trophy model with the turbocharged 2.0L petrol engine producing 261PS of power while mated to a 9-speed ZF automatic.

As a code of honor, I do not like sampling cars that are not offered in their native land. MG is a British car company from the start and this car is not, much like the un-Korean Hyundai i30 N from last week, the MG6 XPower from a long time ago, and the others.

Riding shotgun with it, I'm starting to have thoughts about the MG7 but still, my mind remains the same despite the sporty handling it delivers. It behaves like a European car but no. I'm still not bothered with it because, like I said, this is a not-for-UK MG flagship saloon that drives Brits to tears, wondering why this A4 rival is not sold in Britain.

Before the sulking continues, the MG7 wants me to take a quick drive on the Marigold against a pack of sports saloons, demonstrating its Euro-tuned dynamics fit for a Chinese-made British saloon. Let's roll the tape.

Not bad but I'm not happy about it.

After spending the whole day driving the MG7, I've learned nothing because if the MG7 did sell in Britain, I would be grateful to drive what's known to be Britain's answer to the Audi A4 but no. MG has no plans to bring the MG7 to the Brits and that's final.

This is a complete waste of time for me because I just drove a not-for-UK MG flagship saloon for all the wrong reasons and I got spiraled.

Dismissed.

MG MG4 XPOWER

The MG4 is proven to be a hit on British roads and because it's more fun and more affordable to own than the Nissan Leaf, it really is the biggest upset in the electric car market. Such upset prompted MG to create their first-ever electric hot hatch; the MG4 XPOWER.

2024 MG MG4 XPOWER

Starting at 36,495 British Pounds plus additional costs, the first-ever MG4 XPOWER brings performance back to MG in the age of the new normal and such pricing means it's more affordable than the Civic Type R. It's the high-performance bargain of the decade.

2024 MG MG4 XPOWER interior

At first glance, it looks and works just like a normal MG4 judging by its sharp-looking exterior design, 10.25-inch touch screen with smartphone connectivity, Rotary Gear Selector, wireless charging pad, heated front seats, and steering wheel, among many others. However, the only way to differentiate the XPOWER from the normal MG4 is the XPOWER badge behind as well as the 18" Cyclone alloy wheels with orange calipers, and the added Track Mode display on the touchscreen.

Unlike the normal MG4, which is rear-wheel-drive only, the MG4 XPOWER is the first MG car to be all-wheel-drive, meaning there should be an additional motor somewhere. Anyway, because of its AWD layout and the 64kWh battery, the power output got juiced up to produce 435PS of power output and 600Nm of torque. 

Because being the first MG car to have launch control, the MG4 XPOWER has a 0-60mph time of 3.7 seconds and a top speed of 124mph. You can kiss your Nissan Leaf NISMO goodbye with this one.

In terms of range, the MG4 XPOWER is good for 239 miles combined based on the WLTP scale and it takes up to 35 minutes to charge the batteries from 10% to 80% is 35 minutes when charged at the 150kW public rapid charger, the length of watching an episode of your favorite cartoon and some Hail Marys to spare. At home, it takes 5.1 hours to charge the batteries from 10% to 100%.

Of course, being AWD, the 1800kg kerb weight spells more weight compared to the normal MG4, meaning it feels somewhat mild and tangy to drive even on the track. Arm-breaking is such when you try to turn sharp and thanks to its sport-tuned brakes, it feels dramatic when you hit the brakes.

Like the normal MG4, the XPOWER is nothing short of safety features including the MG Pilot Advanced Driver Assistance System.

The MG4 XPOWER signals MG's return to the performance business and because of its pricing that's cheaper to own than the Civic Type R, the performance to devour the Leaf NISMO, and the AWD system unheard of for an MG car, this juiced up electric hatchback is ready for prime time.

Photo: MG Motor UK

My FH5 Log: The MG6 that Britain didn't get

When the original MG6 launched in Britain in 2011, it was the beginning of the comeback of a British marque that was revived by China's SAIC. It was a CKD unit made by Britain until MG decided to bid farewell to its Longbridge plant along with the MG6 in it. However, in China, the MG6 lives in its second generation and this is the Chinese equivalent of the Honda Civic Type R that Britain didn't get.

It's called the MG6 XPower, a high-performance PHEV version of the second-generation MG6. I got it as a prize car from the ongoing Forza Horizon 5 FORDZATHON series update and before getting my dibs on China's answer to the Honda Civic Type R, let's get to know about the MG6 that Britain never had.

Unveiled in late 2016, the second-generation MG6 incorporates the brand's new design language and it runs on the same mechanicals as the Roewe i6. It received a minor change in the summer of 2020 and a year later, the MG6 XPower was launched. Based on the MG6 PHEV, the XPower's 1.5L turbocharged engine was bolted to an electric motor, generating a total power output of 300PS of power and 480Nm of torque, capable of hitting 0-100kph in six seconds.

For a super saloon that was known to be China's answer to the Civic Type R, the MG6 XPower really is something the Brits are missing since the MG6 left several years ago. Should the MG6 stay in Britain to show off its second-generation model, it could have been spectacular on British roads and can easily upset the likes of the Honda Civic Type R and the Renaultsport Megane but sadly, it's too little, too late for that.

Despite this, it drives like a Civic Type R even though it has a PHEV drivetrain which sounds uncanny for a car like this. Driving around Horizon Mexico's sights and sounds in this car and I'm having the strangest feeling that I'm like a Kung-Fu martial artist in a business suit. It's got a kick into it when I go nuts with this car. Gotta admire Chinese car manufacturing in a nut shack.

Speaking of which, it's time to see how much of a car the MG6 XPower is and with that, I went back to the Festival to have a one-on-one duel with its TCR equivalent.

No joke. This is the TCR equivalent that I won from the Storm Season Playlist. Built to compete in the TCR Asia series until the smaller MG5 XPower touring car took over, the MG6 XPower TCR is powered by a 2.0L turbocharged engine producing 340hp of power and 410Nm of torque. It's mated to a 6-speed Xtrac sequential paddle shift gearbox.

Can the MG6 X-Power be as good as its TCR equivalent? Let's find out as we roll the tape.

After a hot lap, here are the results;

2021 MG MG6 XPower -  1m21.165s

2020 MG #20 MG6 XPower - 1m17.027s

A near-four-second gap between the road car and its TCR equivalent, which is quite surprising for a car like this.

To me, the second-generation MG6, in XPower form, is the MG6 Britain should get if they gave the MG6 a second chance in life but sadly, it's a clear NO from the Brits, which is too bad because this PHEV monster has the dynamics of a super hot hatch and the makings of a Nurburgring record holder for PHEV front-wheel-drive cars, which sounds unlikely but anyone can dream right? Ha ha ha... Wrong.

With the Forza producers' newfound fondness for the People's Republic of China, I don't think they'll stop featuring even more Chinese cars like this, even though we never asked for one in the first place. Kowtowing to Beijing is the main reason why we got Chinese cars in this game and the MG6 is one of them. Sigh...

Anyway, enjoy your new ride.

MG MG4

The first-ever MG4 electric hatchback is by no means one of the most affordable electric vehicles on sale in Britain and with prices starting at 25,995 Pounds plus additional costs, it's cheaper to own than the Nissan Leaf by a razor-thin margin but there's a lot more to it than that...

2023 MG MG4

Fresh from the People's Republic of China, the MG4 electric hatchback is the biggest upset in the electric car market, probably because of the pricing that beats the Nissan Leaf by a knife edge. While the pricing is the MG4's top trump, there are plenty of reasons to buy one; starting with the design.

The MG4's design is by no means the sharpest-looking for a city car of such size judging by the front face that delivered its first impression, although the rear view can be visibly mistaken for a Kia EV6 when you squint your eyes further. Either way, the MG4's exterior design is nearly exceptional for an electric car made for the British masses.

2023 MG MG4 interior

On the inside, the MG4 has plenty of toys to play around with such as its 10.25-inch touch screen with smartphone connectivity, the Rotary Gear Selector, the wireless charging pad available on the Trophy Long Range variant, and heated front seats and steering wheel, among many others. Talking about space, this five-seater's modest space feels just right when you step inside. In terms of boot space, with the rear seats present, it's less spacious than the Nissan Leaf...that is until you fold the rear seats down. With nearly 300 liters more than the Nissan Leaf of total boot space with the rear seats down, it's another top trump for the MG4.

2023 MG MG4

The MG4 features two kinds of battery capacities. The SE model features a 51kWh battery capacity that produces 170PS of power, 250Nm of torque, a 0-60mph time of 7.5 seconds, 100mph of top speed, and up to 218 miles of driving range combined. The Long Range variant runs on the 64kWh battery pack which bumps the power output to 203PS power, which is a tad less compared to the Nissan Leaf e+, and with 281 miles of driving range, a tad less efficient as well but whatever.

Because the MG4 weighs less than the Nissan Leaf and because it's rear-wheel-drive unlike the Nissan Leaf, which is front-wheel-drive, you will find that it's a lot more enjoyable to drive as well. Although spartan because it has the same layout as a Porsche 911, it feels rather unique to drive one even beyond city limits, not to mention the fact that it comes with MG Pilot Advanced Driver Assistance Systems for a safer driving experience.

With the first-ever MG4, it looks like the Nissan Leaf has completely lost it because of such pricing which made the MG4 the electric bargain of the new normal, not to mention the dynamics and the styling that delivered the biggest upset in the electric car market. Looks like this Sino-British marque is on the roll.

Photo: MG Motor UK

MG5 EV (2023 minor change)

The MG5 EV was revised as Britain's reasonably priced electric estate's gone premium and being premium is a good thing...almost.

2023 MG 5 EV

2023 MG 5 EV

Priced at 31,690 Euros plus additional costs, which is drastically more than its pre-facelift, the new MG5 EV's big minor change delivers a bold new approach to one of the most reasonably priced EVs on the market. Beginning with the exterior design, the big minor change features a sleeker front view reminiscent of a certain Kia not available in its home market. I can't say what model due to search query reasons but you get the point. On the back, meanwhile, the rear lamps have been revised while it sports a new rear bumper. With such an exterior design, it doesn't look like a cheap car anymore. Nice one, MG.

2023 MG 5 EV

2023 MG 5 EV

On the interior, the Volkswagen-esque dashboard was revised and it now features a new and longer touch screen that now takes control of every single nook and cranny. Don't worry though, you can see buttons below the touch screen that controls the aircon and volume controls within reach. Like the old MG5, it accommodates up to five people but the rear space can accommodate up to 89 liters less than the old model with the rear seats folded down, pre-facelift's 1456L vs. facelift's 1367L. What a whammy for space-conscious people who are spending their weekends doing garage sale trips.

The MG5 EV big minor change is now offered only with the 61kWh Long Range electric powertrain. It produces 156PS of power and 280Nm of torque, which is more than the old model, a 0-60mph time in around eight seconds, and 115mph of top speed, which is pretty much the same as the old one but still slightly faster than a normal Japanese car as expected. The driving range is good for around 250 miles based on WLTP standards while charging times can take about 40 minutes to reach 80% on a public charging station or six hours and 30 minutes at home.

As expected, the new MG5 EV features a wide array of safety features such as Active Emergency Braking with Pedestrian and Bicycle Detection, Lane Keeping Assist with Lane Departure Warning System, and Traffic Jam Assist, Intelligent Speed Limit Assist, Intelligent High Beam Assist, and Adaptive Cruise Control.

While the shortened boot space and the drastic price hike are the main Achilles' Heel, the new MG5 EV is taking shape with its reworked design, tech, and improved driving range that will keep on going until the last charge.

Photo: MG Motor

My FH5 Log: Chinese foods for thought (PART 3)

The last of the three Chinese-made cars that arrived on Forza Horizon 5's Series 4 update has arrived and unlike the previous two, it comes from a British carmaker currently owned by a Chinese motoring giant. I'm talking about MG, which is currently under SAIC control, and the Chinese-made MG in question is the MG3 hatchback.

Having fought my way through the Hot Season playlist to get the keys for this Chinese-made British city car, it's time to have my dibs on the MG3.

Unveiled at the 2013 Shanghai Motor Show, the MG3 city car promises to be a fun-to-drive supermini hatchback fit for everyone's daily life. With styling inspired by the Zero Concept, the MG3 is powered by a 1.5L MPi DOHC VTI-Tech engine that develops 106HP of power while mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox. Thanks to its £8,399 price tag, it's one of the cheapest cars to buy in Britain since its launch.

It's good to have a modern-day MG arrived in the game despite the fact that it's currently made in China. Having spent a day driving with the MG3, I'm starting to think that this tiny little hatchback is cheap and cheerful but, to be honest, it's difficult to say because while calling it cheap is the easy part, calling it cheerful is the hardest thing to say because of its driving feel that doesn't behave like a European car.

To test out just how cheap and cheerful the MG3 is, I sent it for a little race through the Mexican gravel and drive like how a typical driver in a third-world country would do. Funny but worth the shot. Roll the tape.

Now that's a typical third-world driving attempt in a car built by a terrifying world superpower destined to take over the world. Ah, the joys of being a communist car, eh?

With the arrival of the MG3, the last Chinese-made car in this series update looks like the Chinese invasion in Forza Horizon 5 is complete, although it won't be the last for them because the Chinese are cooking up some more in the world of Forza for many years to come. So, out of the three Chinese-made cars appeared in the Series 4 update, which one is your favorite?

MG5 EV

For the first time since China's SAIC took control of the renowned British carmaker MG, there is now a station wagon in the MG range and it's an electric station wagon that promises to be the most affordable electric station wagon to own and enjoy in case you want an electric car but stuck at the scum class and can't afford the fancy ones like the Porsche Taycan or the Tesla Model 3.

Priced at a very reasonable 25,095 Pounds plus additional costs, the MG5 EV is the most affordable electric car to own and it's nearly more affordable than the Nissan Leaf, making it the bargain electric car of the new normal. If the bargain is what this MG5 EV championed for, what's it like being with it?

Unlike most expensive electric cars which feature futuristic styling, the MG5 EV looks a bit regular in every way. It's somewhat reminiscent of an old Volkswagen Passat Variant and no matter how close you look at it, this electric estate looks more of a throwback rather than flash forwarding to future trends like today's electric cars.

What about the interior? Well, while the cockpit view's a bit like last decade's cars from the Volkswagen Group family tree, the MG5 EV still works like most normal cars should, and in terms of passenger space, it's not really half bad at all. It fits up to five, which is ideal for a normal family or for road-tripping buddies going out-of-town, and with rear space up to 1456 liters with the rear seats folded, it fits for all walks of life. It's spacious of course, meaning this electric estate can do nearly utilitarian stuff such as carrying today's grocery list or deliveries if you're a normal deliveryman working at the nearest Amazon fulfillment center.

The MG5 EV's electric powertrain consists of a 52.5kWh battery pack which produces a modest 156PS of power and 260Nm of torque and it has a top speed of 115mph, which is slightly faster than a normal Japanese car of course. In terms of charging, unlike most electric cars taking a day to charge at home, the MG5 can be fully charged at home in eight and a half hours, which sounds quick, and if you're in a public charging station, that takes less than an hour to reach 80%. The charging time's quite a surprise but the range of 214 miles (based on WLTP standards) is a tad less compared to the fancy ones. Sounds fair, though.

In terms of dynamics, even with Sport Mode active, the MG5 feels as old-fashioned as a two-decade-old saloon but it feels quite civilized on normal roads. It's not enjoyable as is but it's well-behaved and as civilized as a real commoner. It's a real commoner car for the real world and the host of safety features are worth noticing.

The MG5 may not be the most enjoyable electric car to own but with its pricing worth buying, it's a fresh start if you are itching to jump to the EV bandwagon like the rest of the world does.

Photo: MG Motor UK Limited