British automotive marque Moke, famous for its fashionable 1960s beach-going buggy, has announced that it will no longer produce combustion versions of its vehicles, instead, it will be transitioning to a full-electric company.
The Moke was created by Mini designer Sir Alec Issignois was tasked to create a vehicle robust enough to be parachuted behind enemy lines from an airplane. Instead, it caught the attention of consumers and A-listers in the 60s who used it to get to the beachfront in style. The brand was resurrected in 2017 with a number of limited models, and now it is propelling into the electric future with a battery-powered model.
The new electric Moke has been designed from the ground-up with a view to significantly enhancing the driving experience. The use of aluminum panels has significantly reduced the weight of the vehicle for a more agile ride, while the instant torque from the electric motor dramatically enhances acceleration and driveability. The electric MOKE benefits from a number of other updates across the vehicle from improved braking systems to increased occupant and pedestrian safety features. Finally, it will feature power-steering, regenerative braking and heated windscreens. All luxuries far beyond Issignonis’ original brief.
Its powertrain consists of a real wheel direct-drive setup with three-phase AC Synchronous e-motors powered by a 33kW battery. It offers a range of 144km, a top speed of 100km/h, and can be fully charged in four hours using Type 2 (EU Standard) charging port.
To deliver a next-generation powertrain vehicle, Moke has gathered a team under the leadership of former Rolls-Royce product lead, CEO Isobel Dando. Its engineers, designers and technicians are drawn from some of the leading names in automotive engineering and design including: Polestar, Jaguar Land Rover, Rolls-Royce, MINI and BMW.
Together they have created a contemporary interpretation of Moke s classic open-top driving dynamics with full scope for clients to personalize the vehicles.
“Moke going electric secures the appeal of one of Britain’s best loved marques for many generations to come. Moke’s marriage of fun, personality and open air thrills will only be enhanced through the performance and silent running of an electric powertrain. We are proud to write a new chapter in one of British automotive folklore’s best love stories,” Said Isobel Dando, CEO, Moke International.
All-electric Mokes will be manufactured by hand in the marque’s home, the United Kingdom at a state-of-the-art facility operated by the Fablink Group in Northamptonshire.
All Mokes can be ordered in right or left-hand drive with deliveries will be made in time for the 2022 European Summer.
