MG's reputation as a British sports car manufacturer has faded considerably over the past decade or so, but the now Chinese-owned company appears to be making a comeback with its Cyberstar electric car concept.

Intended to be MG's "vision of the future," the Cyberstar is a two-door roadster that combines futuristic EV styling with a design reminiscent of the classic MG B roadster. While the concept will not be seen on public roads anytime soon, it features a custom EV architecture that will support future MG electric vehicles.

Given the sporty design, it is no wonder that the Cyberstar can hit 62 mph in three seconds using its power and still achieve a range of 497 miles. This range is enough to trouble the Tesla Roadster. However, technical specs on the car's battery and powertrain have not yet been revealed.

Therefore, the main information we can glean is its design. It has a sharply sculpted nose with a hood that flows down into an angular splitter. Most striking are the "magic eye" LED headlights, which seem to pay homage to the round lights of the Model B roadster, but at an aggressive angle. They also open like human eyelids when lit, though it is a bit difficult to imagine from this still image.

Speaking of lights, there are LED strips running down the sides of the bodywork that form what MG calls a "laser belt."

This echoes the chrome strips that ran down the sides of the MG B.

The "laser belt" is a bit more complex than the "laser belt" on the MG.

A large rear light bar spans the back of the car and flows down to the brake lights and blinkers in response to the British Union Jack flag. The rear diffuser is also illuminated. Whether you find this classy or crude will depend on your taste in car design and your affinity for the British flag.

Design aside, there is not much else to be gained here.

With the possibility of this concept car hitting the roads of the UK and the US, it seems MG is beginning a journey of reinvention to become a brand known for sporty cars rather than mediocre ones. Time will tell if this will happen, but I am all for MG attempting a return to glory in an electrified, phoenix-like fashion.