MG Cyber X will become a rugged-looking urban runabout

This year’s Cyber X Shanghai show car will eventually become a boxy, budget-friendly, electric family SUV from MG. And it should be out within the next 24 months.

MG’s product and planning boss, David Allison, reckons Cyber X will be a Jimny-style competitor. However, it will only come as a five-door EV, either as a single or dual-motor model.

It will use SAIC’s new E3 platform, the same as the second-generation MG4 rolls on. And it could well showcase new battery and motor technology for the brand in Europe. 

The Cyber X will target budget-conscious buyers looking at Ford Pumas and Jeep Avengers. It is unlikely to change much from the show special to production, retaining the angular styling, squared-off edges, and bluff front end. Front and rear cladding, plus a raised ride height should give it some off-road capability.

Expect the pop-up headlamps of the show car to make way for more conventional light clusters. And the full-width light bar may swap out for individual units. DRLs are likely to sit separate from the main lamps, the latter nestled neatly within the lower bumper.

And an illuminated MG badge won’t be on the production model. Neither will the panoramic sunroof. If so, it will be a cost option.

It’s thought the rear will largely resemble the show car, with a light bar sitting just above the MG logo. 

The interior should mimic that of the new Chinese-market MG4, so a minimalistic design. A small digital instrument cluster will flank a large central screen. Expect few physical switches or buttons. There should be generous headroom and legroom, and a large glasshouse for a light and airy feel.

Given the new MG4 uses 43kWh and 54kWh LFP batteries, this should get the same. Or perhaps a slightly larger battery to counter the marginally larger physical size and aerodynamic load.

We imagine a range of almost 500km should be possible. And a 30 to 80 per cent top-up may take 20 minutes if the semi-solid state battery tech is used.

SAIC says that the cells have passed a series of needle penetration tests without producing smoke. Expect improved cold-weather range as well.

Most models will likely feature a single motor on the front axle for this is primarily an urban family car. 

Cyber X will draw new buyers to the brand, though for size it will likely be smaller than ZS, more Jimny-like for dimensions.

While a launch is scheduled for 2027, MG may release it even earlier.