Why do so many journalist complain about the handling

V

Vader

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Cyberster
My competitive driving days are long gone, but I am curious to hear from other owners. If you look at any video on youtube, almost to a one, the reviewers say the Cyberster is a GT and doesn't handle like a "sports car". I have not (and will not) track this car, but pushing on on a good road shows the Cyberster handles very well. The one fault I can see is that if you are in idiot mode traveling way faster than you should on a public road, a mid corner bump can slightly unsettle the quite nicely compliant suspension. If the suspension is too stiff, the opposite occurs and you bounce across the bump (from my Go-Kart days).

Now ironically, the rare review by an actual racing driver (the craziest being a hill climb by a 5 times rally champion) states the handling is really good. The terms "neutral", "50/50" and "planted front end" are heard. Now this is on a smooth circuit, or road, so the bump issue isn't visible. From my point of view, granted only from a few weeks ownership, is that this thing corners on rails with little to no body roll on a reasonable surface. I also have a cooper SE (electric cooper S), with track tyres which I consider handles very well. I don't notice any lower grip in the Cyberster, just a slower turn in due to the wheelbase.

My question is: are motoring journalist generally not as accomplished as say a professional driver (probably obvious said out loud), or are they looking for issues and making a mountain out of a mole hill. Unless you engage hooligan mode, I can't see needing a better handling car for legal speeds on a reasonable public road.

Thoughts?
 
I wish I could comment from personal experience but sadly I only have the MG4 "ER 77" but even that handles as well as any car I've ever had and certainly better than most.

It should be remembered that motoring journalist is a pretty low rung on the journalism ladder...
 
i have a 997 cabriolet on bilstein B8. That car handles better than the cyberster. I know its not a fair comparison. However, that being said. the front of the cyberster is fine. i am ok with it. but the rear floats like a boat on high speed. the only pain i feel about this car at this point of time.
 
Hello,

I agree with you. Tests often place demands on cars that 90% of drivers would never experience. The same applies when it is particularly important in a test to drift around corners, which is something we all need to do in the morning rush hour.

Yes, the rear axle sometimes bounces a little when you drive into a tight corner that is uneven. But I can easily live with that because I don't know of many corners where that is the case.

For the same reason, I don't mind if the brakes don't work as well after 5 heavy decelerations, because I don't actually drive in a way that causes that to happen. You have to weigh up for yourself to what extent such reports apply to you.

Regards, Stefan
 
Wouldn't take any notice of what these amateur, U Tube reviewers say, they haven't got a clue. The Cyberster and indeed the X Power, which also has bad handling reviews, are perfectly fine, for real life driving, ok might be slightly lacking on a track, but the vast majority of drivers don't give a toss about that. Interesting as stated above, that an actual Racing Driver says it's very good. Says it all really. 🙂👍
 
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What I find frustrating/annoying is that journalists are comparing the first of its kind to existing ICE vehicles such as the Z4, TT etc. rather than acknowledging that this is the first EV roadster.

Having a heavy battery under a car is going to be a challenge for all manufacturers looking at a sports EV. MG don't even call it a sports car at this stage (is a GT). All credit to MG for being first to market with a stunning looking car. I suspect that the equivalent Audi, BMW and Porsche roadsters, when they appear, will be at least 150% of the price of a Cynerster.

I love driving the Cyberster, but on a poor road surface it can be unpleasant for a passenger, but not a deal breaker. I hope (assume) MG will build on this first model. If MG get this right I believe that the Cyberster can become the EV version of the MX-5 once the market matures (an iconic cheap and popular roadster).

The market for EV roadsters does not seem to be there at the moment, mainly due to cost and the fact that cheap ICE are still there. EV prices will undoubtedly come down and when the economy recovers MG have a great opportunity given the experience with the Cyberster.
 
The real criticism is Steering Wheel Feedback of which there is none. Also low speed turns are a bit loose and not as precise as should be.

The car feels planted and its hard to kick out in AWD format. It still needs work with the rear dampening

MG made it clear from the beginning the car is a Grand Tourer So handling complaints are moot
 
I think journalists were thinking early on that they would get a lightweight sports car, which the Cyberster isn't. So that was their reference point.

No it isn't a lightweight 1-tonne MX5 equivalent, with superb steering feel and feedback. But it isn't trying to be so that's an unfair comparison.

What it tries to do, it does very well.
 
MX5 comparisons....They are both convertibles but thats where the comparison ends. Anyone with half a brain knew an electric roadster was never going to be lightweight. Renault cant get their Electric coupe Alpine A110 below 1400 kg. The Coupe Cyberster is said to be 1800kg at best. A British company is promising 1000kg sports coupe. ....But its obvious the battery and range will be very different and power output similar to Trophy while using aluminium or some carbon monocoque body in a small package. Hence the proposed ,65 to 90k price tags...(Caterham and Longbow). Longbow i cant see it being less than 70k and Caterham around £90k.

Sports car obsession and comparisons are pointless......Anyone can go to China and test drive this and then import for 30k plus additional customs. Register it. Suspension fully adjustable as well as other parts. Designed by a young guy whose got backing from a larger manufacturer. Now leave the Cyberster to people who just want to cruise and dont have beef with China.



 
GranTurismoEra said:
MX5 comparisons....They are both convertibles but thats where the comparison ends. Anyone with half a brain knew an electric roadster was never going to be lightweight. Renault cant get their Electric coupe Alpine A110 below 1400 kg. The Coupe Cyberster is said to be 1800kg at best. A British company is promising 1000kg sports coupe. ....But its obvious the battery and range will be very different and power output similar to Trophy while using aluminium or some carbon monocoque body in a small package. Hence the proposed ,65 to 90k price tags...(Caterham and Longbow). Longbow i cant see it being less than 70k and Caterham around £90k.

Sports car obsession and comparisons are pointless......Anyone can go to China and test drive this and then import for 30k plus additional customs. Register it. Suspension fully adjustable as well as other parts. Designed by a young guy whose got backing from a larger manufacturer. Now leave the Cyberster to people who just want to cruise and dont have beef with China.



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There are MX5 electric conversions that keep the weight and balance the same and up the power to 160bhp. But the range tends to be 150 miles max.

It will be interesting to see if Mazda increase the weight or not with next year's electric MX5.
 
GranTurismoEra said:
MX5 comparisons....They are both convertibles but thats where the comparison ends. Anyone with half a brain knew an electric roadster was never going to be lightweight. Renault cant get their Electric coupe Alpine A110 below 1400 kg. The Coupe Cyberster is said to be 1800kg at best. A British company is promising 1000kg sports coupe. ....But its obvious the battery and range will be very different and power output similar to Trophy while using aluminium or some carbon monocoque body in a small package. Hence the proposed ,65 to 90k price tags...(Caterham and Longbow). Longbow i cant see it being less than 70k and Caterham around £90k.

Sports car obsession and comparisons are pointless......Anyone can go to China and test drive this and then import for 30k plus additional customs. Register it. Suspension fully adjustable as well as other parts. Designed by a young guy whose got backing from a larger manufacturer. Now leave the Cyberster to people who just want to cruise and dont have beef with China.



Click to expand...

Just to be clear, I was not comparing to the MX5 as such, I was referring to its place in the market (EV version of the MX-5 ). The MX5 and Cyberster are clearly not equivalent.
 
I don't have an MX-5, but I do own a MINI with track tyres. I would say the lateral acceleration of the MINI and cyberster is very similar - way more than you would ever need. The Cyberster actually has a more planted front end than the MINI, which tends to understeer when pushed really hard. The MINI apparently has suspension, although you wouldn't know it. For this you get lots of feedback on the road surface, and a "sporty" feel. The Cyberster feels far more refined, but no less competent. I think the difference is the feel of the car. The MINI suspension is hard enough that you can bounce over large bumps mid corner (in a go-kart fashion). The Cyberster doesn't bounce, but the suspension is soft, so it absorbs the bump. This has the same effect - the car has less pressure on the road and the lateral acceleration limit is reduced. One feels "sporty", the other seems to unsettle people. If you are expecting it, both are quite benign and are easily manageable.

I am glad I have both options. Kidney rattler vs smooth cruiser. Loving the Cyberster, just not the fight for the drivers seat :)
 
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