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 has revealed a Cyber GTS EV hardtop coupe concept – could it become the electric spiritual successor to the legendary MGB GT?
Like the MGB GT produced between 1965 and 1974, it has a sloping hardtop that dips dramatically towards the rear of the car.
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.
The MGB GT arrived three years after the MGB roadster, meaning it will celebrate its 60th anniversary in 2025. Its fastback roof was designed by legendary design house Pininfarina and boasted a glorious appearance.
The MGB GT is now considered a cult classic. Nearly 65,000 MGB GTs were sold in Britain and just over 60,000 in the rest of the world during its 9-year production run.
MG bigwigs haven’t said anything about whether the Cyber GTS will become a reality, but given the brand’s plans to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the MGB GT next year, we wouldn’t be surprised to see a production version in 2025.
The rear-wheel drive concept uses MG’s high-performance EV motors, a big leap from the B-Series engines used in the MGB GT some 59 years ago.
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 Cyber GTS concept was unveiled at the Goodwood Festival of Speed by Jozef Kaban, Vice President of MG’s Global Design Centre (pictured)
Essentially a coupe version of the roadster, it shares the same sporty front end and pronounced profile lines.
Many of the features of the Cyberster EV roadster have been carried over to the Cyber GTS concept, including the arrow-shaped taillights and striking scissor doors.
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 Cyber GTS is a tribute to the MGC GTS Sebring, the car that cemented MG as a racing brand with British heritage (only six were made).
Andrew Hedges (left) is “generally acknowledged as Abingdon Works’ most successful post-war driver”. He and Paddy Hopkirk piloted the MGC GTS to finish tenth overall and third in the prototype class at Sebring in 1968.
A 1969 MGC GTS Sebring sold for €140,000 at auction in Monaco in 2016
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
Gerry Judah’s Festival of Speed featurette shows two MGs flying in the sky in front of Goodwood House: an MGB and its modern predecessor, the new Cyberster.
The unveiling of the MG Cyber GTS at Goodwood is part of the brand’s centenary, which is currently being celebrated at this year’s Festival of Speed.
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.
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