MG unveils Cyber ​​GTS concept, which appears to be the electric spiritual successor to the MGB GT

MG looks set to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the classic MGB GT next year with a new version for an electric generation.

The Cyber ​​GTS, unveiled at the Goodwood Festival of Speed ​​on Thursday morning, is a hardtop coupe version of its new Cyberster EV roadster. And, like the cult B GT launched in 1965, it offers seating for two and a sleek appearance.

MG claims the Cyber ​​GTS pays homage to the MGC GTS Sebring, the car that helped establish MG as a racing brand with a British heritage. But it may not remain a concept for long, as there are hints it could go into production very soon.

MG says the Cyber ​​GTS concept “explores MG’s further potential to create a new future for a GTS model in the EV era and follows in the footsteps of the Cyberster.”

Essentially a coupe version of the roadster, it shares the same sporty front end and profile lines as its convertible sibling.

However, like the MGB GT produced between 1965 and 1974, it has a sloping hardtop that dips dramatically towards the tail of the car.

To provide enough headroom for two rear occupants, the roof is slightly higher than the Cyberster’s convertible top.

The Arrow taillights are also retained, as are the spectacular scissor doors, which are the most striking feature of the convertible model.

The rear-wheel drive concept uses MG’s high-performance EV motors, a big leap from the MGB GT’s B-Series engine.

Sharing the same powertrains as its convertible sibling, the coupe will have the option of a version with a single 335 hp engine and a top-of-the-range variant with two 503 hp engines.

MG has remained tight-lipped about whether the Cyber ​​GTS will actually become a reality, but references to the MGB GT’s 60th anniversary next year suggest it’s in the works and could be on sale as early as 2025.

If it does make it to the assembly line, pricing is expected to be in line with the Cyberster roadster, starting at £55,000.

The story of the MGC GTS Sebring

MG claims the new Cyber ​​GTS concept pays homage to its MGC GTS Sebring: the car that achieved the best factory result in the brand’s history.

In 1968, an MGC GTS entered the 12 Hours of Sebring, North America’s number one motorsport event that began in Florida in 1954, and was driven impeccably by Andrews Hedges and the legendary Paddy Hopkirk, the man who took victory at the 1964 Monte Carlo Rally in a Mini Cooper S.

He advanced with impetus until reaching tenth position in the general classification and third in the prototype class.

The only cars to outclass the MGC in class at Sebring were two Porsches, both racing prototypes with no relation to any road-going sports car.

Its two drivers nicknamed the MG “Mable”, and Hedges became “generally acknowledged as Abingdon Works’ most successful driver after the war”.

The MGC GTS Sebring is considered by many to be one of the most iconic creations to emerge from BMC’s secretive racing department in the 1960s.

The Abingdon base created one of the most successful motorsport teams Britain has ever seen.

Initially intended for rallying, the Sebring became an endurance champion and today remains one of the most exclusive icons in the world.

Only six true Sebrings were built, and only two lightweight versions. One of them, of course, was the ’68 Sebring.

In 2016, one of the Six authentic GTSs went on sale in Monaco for a whopping €140,000.

MG’s centenary celebration takes centre stage at FOS

The unveiling of the MG Cyber ​​GTS at Goodwood is part of the brand’s centenary celebrations taking place over the four-day Festival of Speed ​​weekend in West Sussex.

The Duke of Richmond opened the event by driving his grandfather’s MG C-Type racing car (which competed in the Brooklands Double 12 in 1931), followed by a parade of old and new MGs past Goodwood House and up the hill.

Gerry Judah’s Festival of Speed ​​feature features two MGs flying in the sky outside Goodwood House: a classic MGB and its new-age successor, the Cyberster EV roadster.