Glorious MG Cyberster is one of the drives of the year

A smiling couple approaches as I climb out of the stunning MG and close the ultra-cool scissor doors.

“We’ve three MGs but they aren’t like this,” the lady tells me. “What’s it like?” asks her husband. Well, more similar than you would think.

I was weaned on MGs in the 1960s and was spirited around by my father in various MGB roadsters.

In their day they were charismatic, eye-catching and exhilarating. They made me proud, I held my head-up in school and loved being dropped off at the gates.

I was too young to ever drive one but lived every moment either in the passenger seat, if I was lucky, or perched on a curiously carpeted bulkhead behind the front seats.

No airbags, seatbelts or even seats in those days and it was great. No speed limits either and we survived to tell the tall tales.

So how can a Chinese electric version compete? While the purists would sneer that it can’t. I beg to differ because the Cyberster is a glorious creation.

You really shouldn’t get too hung up on its Far Eastern origins. Designed in MG’s London studios, both the Cyberster Trophy and the range-topping GT have undergone an extensive 18-month performance and handling development programme in the UK, directed by MG’s Longbridge engineering team.

The result is absolutely marvellous in every quarter. Where to start? Well look at it. It’s a supercar with absolutely gorgeous aesthetics, superb proportions and amazing lines.

From the front it could be any European supercar and while the rear is more radical – and why not – I love that too, especially the arrowhead lights.

In Cosmic silver with a fully-electric black fabric hood, which can be opened or closed in as little as 15 seconds at speeds up to 30mph, 20in alloys and with red Brembo brake callipers, it is truly magnificent to behold.

A 249-litre boot capacity also ensures the MG has grand touring practicality.

Like in days of old, I am happy to park up and always linger by the Cyberster in case any passer-by wants to chat – and they do in their droves.

Inside is equally marvellous. It feels exotic, plush and well-made, again a proper supercar.

The dash features a wonderful wraparound three screen cockpit, including a 10.25in driver display and two 7in auxiliary screens either side. Then there’s a 7in central colour touchscreen that provides access to the dual-zone climate controls. The screens are comprehensive, easy to read and operate.

An extensive range of infotainment features Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, eight-speaker Bose sound system, DAB and voice recognition. A 360° parking camera and twin USB ports are also standard.

The central transmission tunnel houses the coolest of switches, the buttons which operate the signature scissor doors. I could play with them all day. They are useful too for when people park too close as they go up rather than out making exiting the interior nice and easy.

If the sensor detects an obstacle is too close the door stops and you have to push it manually with more care.

The interior is as luxurious and technologically advanced as cabins can be, an environment normally the preserve of ultra-expensive GTs, complete with six-way electrically-adjustable heated seats with memory function and electric lumbar support.

A distinctive heated steering wheel, featuring four-way adjustability, also has twin paddles to activate the one-pedal kinetic brake regeneration and four drive modes – comfort, custom, sport and track. The wheel is also home to a red super sports button, but more of that later.

MGs have always been about performance and the Cyberster is no exception in fact it’s by far the most powerful sports car in the company’s 100-year history.

GT features two 77kWh electric motors, one on each axle, giving by default the benefits of all-wheel-drive.

That means there is an incredible 503PS of power and 725Nm of torque available at the dab of the throttle. If you like sprint time figures then 60mph comes up in just three seconds.

In the real world this means the Cyberster is an overtaking weapon. All that power and the controllability of a one-pedal throttle (which brakes using the regen braking when you lift off) means you can pick off the slow movers like a motorbike and in complete safety.

The freedom this gives you on a cross-country blast is immense. Dab and lift and you are by. It’s staggering. If you need even more then press the red button on the steering wheel and warp drive is engaged.

Steering and tracking are peerless, grip astonishing and the ride is surprisingly compliant. If there is a tiny flaw it’s at the rear where the MG can pogo a tad as it bounces off the worst bumps.

Roof down to maximise the pleasure, there’s even a specially-designed wind deflector between the front seats to reduce buffeting to a minimum, which works a treat.

Like the original MG 14/28 Super Sports car, which was a masterpiece crafted by the iconic Cecil Kimber, the Cyberster is steeped in innovation and driven by a desire to fuel the passion for sportscars.

Being electric does nothing to detract from an incredible experience and for peace of mind it even comes with a seven-year 80,000-mile manufacturer’s warranty.

I love the Cyberster; it’s one of the best drives of the year.