The Mini Moke is one of Australia’s all-time favourite vehicles, and while they were never a sales magnet, they became a cult-like vehicle for beach-goers around the country. They were also favourites of celebrities such as Paul McCartney and the Beach Boys, and anyone who spent time in a MOKE would surely remember just how fun these vehicles were to drive. The smell of carby-fed power, the bouncy ride, and the openness. We’ll never know how these vehicles were ever legal, but there’s a slim chance we’ll see anything like this again. Or is there?
Like the Tesla Cybertruck, rules hardly apply in certain U.S. states. MOKE International, which acquired the brand’s license and commenced production in Europe in 2018, is now selling the MOKE again in the United States through a distributor, Ekho. Priced from USD$41,900, they might not be cheap anymore, but they sure are cheerful. Here’s everything you need to know about the new MOKE.
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Electric MOKE Specifications:
- Price: USD$41,900
- Power: 33kW
- Torque: 130nm
- Top speed: 80km/h
- Range: 54 miles (86.9km) WLTP
- Battery type: 10.8-kWh lithium-ion battery
- Charge type: Three-Phase AC Synchronous
The brand-new models were originally set to feature a fuel-injected 1.1-litre four-cylinder engine from Japan. However, those plans were scrapped early, and all new MOKE vehicles will be all-electric. You’re looking at 33kW of power, which is just enough to pull the skin off the custard, and 130Nm of torque, which is quite a lot for such a small vehicle. The range is marked at 54 miles (86.9km) WLTP. However, the brand says that you should be able to achieve a real-world range from 45-80 miles (72-129km).
There’s not much on the inside, save for a few switches to control the three drive modes (Eco, Beach, and Normal), black weatherproof upholstery, a three-gauge instrument cluster, a radio with FM/AM DAB/Bluetooth, dual speakers, a heated windscreen, and no airbags. Perhaps when MOKE said modern, they meant to say minimal.
It is unlikely to meet Australia’s stringent safety ratings without airbags. However, it has been homologated in the E.U. as a road vehicle under ultra-low-volume production regulations. In the U.S., it’s been approved by the NHTSA under the same basic law, which limits production to 325 cars per year state-side.
Manufactured in Australia between 1966 and 1982, the MOKE was set to travel across the pond for its highly anticipated return to Australia in 2021. However, that never happened, and the last we’ve heard of MOKE’s return to Australia is an interview with a brand spokesperson with GoAutoNews in October 2022.
“The short answer is yes, the new electric Moke will be coming to Australia,” said a spokesperson for the brand in a conversation with GoAutoNews. “In terms of specifics – such as timing, price, etcetera – that is yet to be confirmed. But Australia is a very important market for Moke International.”
Previously, a spokesperson for the brand told CarAdvice: “We are very much looking forward to bringing the Moke back to Australia, and we are targeting the middle of next year for market launch (2021). We are actively seeking importer and dealer partners to drive the brand’s success in a market we anticipate will be perfect for the car.”
When and if the MOKE arrives in Australia is still up for debate. However, we’d expect it to arrive in the three colours listed on the brand’s website: Wave Blue, Sunset Orange, and Sunlight Yellow.
There’s also the question of whether or not someone would be willing to pay upwards of $60,000 for an electric MOKE. USD$41,900 is the equivalent of AUD$62,300, and more than 20 EVs in Australia cost less than that. Even the Abarth 500e is available for less than $60,000, and that’s considerably faster, has more range, and is surely as fun.
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