MG's Electric Box on Wheels Channels Its Inner Land Cruiser and a Touch of 80s Glam
Image Credit: SAIC DESIGN.
Let me tell you, my perfectly pedicured toes are just tapping with excitement over the latest little number to sashay onto the electric scene. It seems MG has been cooking up something rather intriguing…
MG. Remember them? The plucky (former) British brand that's now doing its thing under the rather large umbrella of SAIC? Well, they've just pulled the wraps off a concept that's got my eyebrows doing a little happy dance. It's called the CyberX, and it's like someone shrunk a Land Cruiser, gave it a futuristic makeover, and then said, "Let's make it electric!"
Image Credit: SAIC DESIGN.
This little SUV, part of MG's new "Cyber" family alongside that rather dashing Cyberster roadster, made its debut at the Shanghai Auto Show. And while they're calling it a concept, wink-wink-nudge-nudge, it looks suspiciously like something you might actually see parked in your driveway before too long. Apparently, the production version is already on the drawing board. Oh, the suspense!
The CyberX sports a delightfully boxy silhouette. It's less of the usual "jelly bean" and more of a "stylish brick." And I am digging it. It's got short overhangs that make it look ready to pounce, and the surfaces are clean and minimalist. But the real showstopper? Those pop-up headlights! Pop-up headlights! It's a glorious blast from the past that decided to gatecrash the electric future. Apparently, it's a little nod to the Ferrari Testarossa, which, if you ask me, is a rather fabulous inspiration.
Image Credit: SAIC DESIGN.
And speaking of inspiration, the greenhouse – that's the fancy word for the bit with all the windows – clearly bears a strong resemblance to the Toyota Land Cruiser Series 300. That gives it this rugged, outdoorsy vibe, like it's just as happy tackling a muddy trail as it is cruising down Rodeo Drive. Well, maybe not the muddy trail in this particular electric iteration, but you get the idea!
The wheel arches are pleasingly chunky, housing tires that look like they mean business. And the ground clearance? Generous! It all adds up to a stance that says, "I'm here, I'm boxy, and I'm ready for anything!" The design maestro behind this little head-turner is none other than Jozef Kaban, a name that might ring a bell for you car aficionados. This man has penned some serious beauties, including the Bugatti Veyron! I guess he knows a thing or two about making cars that make people go weak in their knees.
Image Credit: SAIC DESIGN.
Dimensions - the CyberX concept stretches to about 169.3 inches long, which puts it in that sweet spot of being small enough to zip around town but still big enough to, say, haul your shopping haul from IKEA. MG is hinting that despite its similar size, this little electric SUV will have its own distinct personality, allowing it to happily coexist with its more conventional ZS and ES5 models.
Inside? Well, your guess is as good as mine. MG kept the windows darker than my post-holiday mood, so we didn't get a peek. But the whispers on the wind suggest that they've teamed up with smartphone giant Oppo for the connectivity tech. So, expect it to be smarter than your average toaster oven.
Image Credit: SAIC DESIGN.
Rumor has it that the production CyberX could be the first to ride on SAIC's brand-spanking-new E3 platform, specifically designed for electric vehicles. This means it'll be fully electric, naturally. And it might even feature SAIC's "cell-to-body" technology, where the battery pack becomes an integral part of the car's structure. This clever stuff can improve rigidity and shave off some weight, which is always a good thing when you're lugging around a big battery.
MG hasn't coughed up the official specs just yet, but we can do a little educated guessing. Given its size, I'd expect a battery capacity that offers a decent range for your daily adventures, maybe something in the ballpark of 50 to 70 kilowatt-hours. Power outputs? Hopefully enough to make it feel sprightly, perhaps somewhere between 150 and 250 horsepower. And since electric motors are known for their instant oomph, we should expect a 0 to 60 mph sprint in the region of seven to nine seconds.
Image Credit: SAIC DESIGN.
As for the price? That's the million-dollar question... Given MG's positioning, I'd wager they'll aim for a competitive price point to lure in all the eco-conscious buyers who also appreciate a bit of style and just a smidgen of quirkiness (hello, pop-up headlights!).
When can you get your hands on this little electric wonder, then? MG hasn't spilled the beans on the exact timing, but the chattering in China suggests it could be hitting showrooms within the next year or so. And good news for my European and Australian friends – it's expected to be available there too!
Image Credit: SAIC DESIGN.
The MG CyberX – a quirky, boxy, electric SUV with pop-up headlights that's got this journo rather intrigued. It's a brave move from MG, but can it truly live up to the "versatility" hype? We'll have to wait and see - at least it's got people already talking. Sometimes, a bit of retro-futuristic charm is just what you need to stand out from the crowd. Don't take my word for it - Renault 5 Turbo is the best example here.
