With its squared-off lines, bold presence and broad visual appeal, the Cyber X marks a bold new direction for MG, uncharted waters for the Chinese SAIC Group. “It’s a planet-wide city adventure toy”, says Jozef Kabaň, Vice President of SAIC Design. While the vehicle’s styling clearly draws its inspiration from the world of off-roaders, MG clarifies that the technical specifications remain those of a traditional electric car, and are therefore not geared towards off-road adventures. The reason for these forms is simply to tap into a trend that uses a symbolic styling language to create fashionable vehicles with the aim of attracting younger customers and reflecting their desire to explore the world.
The Cyber X is crafted with a precise formula, combining specific design elements: short overhangs with wheels pushed out to the corners, vertical front and rear ends, a long wheelbase, and carefully sculpted surfaces that echo the refinement of high-end tech devices.
To keep the profile sleek, the designers have used handles flush with the bodywork, while a straight beltline further up emphasises the neat surfaces. Adding to the contemporary feel, the pillars match the dark-tinted windows, while the mirror caps provide contrast, mirroring the aluminum finish on the wheels and roof bars.
The Colour & Trim people worked to achieve a matte grey colour that would evolve in tone during the day as the light moved across it. Inspiration came from an unlikely place: the rubble of a ruined building at dusk. There they discovered more than forty-three types of metal oxide particles in the cool grey substrate. From this, they were able to create a matte colour that was dark at night but shiny during the day thanks to various aluminium particles hidden in the paint.
Shao Jinfeng, Chief Design Officer of SAIC Motor R&D Innovation Headquarters and Josef Kabaň Vice President of SAIC Design
To give more personality to a body of such disciplined geometry, the designers played with light elements. During the day, the front of the Cyber X is crossed by a full-width LED strip, while the low-beam headlights remain tucked away to guarantee a dramatic effect. This choice was made by MG to humanise its vehicle: the headlights open slowly to an angle of 30 degrees, reminiscent of moving eyelids.
For the rear, a more traditional solution was chosen with LED lights running across the entire width of the Cyber X. MG has nevertheless added some details in line with its classic octagonal styling cues: from the design of the wheels to the mouldings on the bumpers and the edges of the retractable lights. Forward-looking yes, but grounded in tradition.
Full Article in Auto&Design no. 275
