The iconic Moke is going fully electric. And it’s going electric so quickly that by January 1 next year, you will no longer be able to order the ICE (internal combustion engine) version.
The classic automotive marque – made famous by the Beetles, the Beach Boys and Brigitte Bardot – and apparently developed originally as a vehicle that could be parachuted behind enemy lines – says the rapid shift will make it the first legacy manufacturer in the world to go fully electric.
Orders are open now, and can be reserved in the UK from a starting price of £29,150, not including taxes, with first deliveries due in the northern summer in 2022. That translates to an $A price of around $A53,000. And Moke informed The Driven that it does have its eyes on the Australian market, although no word on exactly when.
“Electrification writes a bold new chapter for one of British automotive’s most loved and storied marques,” said Isobel Dando, the CEO of Moke International.
She noted the Moke was the brainchild of legendary Mini designer Sir Alec Issignois, who was tasked to create a vehicle robust enough to be parachuted behind enemy lines from an aeroplane.
The electric version will deliver significantly increased performance, and a silent powertrain for undisturbed open-air motoring.
It will get to 55km/h in 4.5 seconds, and it will have a top speed of 100km/h, and a range of 144kms, which Moke tells us is the equivalent of five return trips from Cap-Ferrat to Monaco, which gives us a hint at their target market (apart from beach resorts).
The new electric Moke will be manufactured in a new state of the art facility in Northamptonshire, and will use aluminium panels to significantly reduced the weight of the vehicle for a more agile ride.
On Australia, a spokesperson said: “We very much have eyes on Australia as a great international market for Moke. We are very proud of our heritage in Australia and the role Mokes have played in lighting up some of the best beach resorts in the world. We soon hope to make a positive announcement regarding a potential return.”
SPECIFICATIONS
Powertrain: Real wheel direct-drive (LHD and RHD)
Motor Type: Three-phase AC Synchronous
Range: 144km
Charge Time: 4 hours
Top Speed: 100 km/h
Max Power: 33kW
Charger Port Type: Type 2 (EU Standard)
Dimension LxWxH: 3225 x 1660 x 1546mm
Mass: 800Kg
Ground Clearance: 18cm
Giles Parkinson is founder and editor of The Driven, and also edits and founded the Renew Economy and One Step Off The Grid web sites. He has been a journalist for nearly 40 years, is a former business and deputy editor of the Australian Financial Review, and owns a Tesla Model 3.