The Chinese car maker Cherry tried to breathe new life into the legendary Mini Moke back in 2014. The attempt at a new edition, however, did not bring too many new models onto the streets. Now the Moke should finally become a British cult vehicle – initially without an electric drive.
This would mean that the most bizarre Mini of all time would be back on its little wheels – but no longer under the Mini brand and also not under the label of the Chinese car manufacturer Cherry, but now under the Moke International label. None other than mini-father Alec Issigonis designed the British miniature for the British Motor Corporation (BMC) around 60 years ago. Almost 50,000 Mokes were produced between 1963 and 1992. The car without a roof soon became a symbolic vehicle for the beach boy generation. “No doors, no roof, no worries” was the motto. But 25 years after the last Moke rolled off the production line in Portugal, there should now be a real new edition; produced by the British auto supplier Fablink. The British designer Michael Young has given the open four-seater a little freshening up. Since the brand’s tentative revival in 2017, Moke International’s production has been located between the Midlands and France, with the first vehicles being developed in the UK and assembled on the European continent.
The complete move back to the UK was made possible by UK government grants from the Niche Vehicle Network as well as the latest trade agreement that grants UK automotive companies duty-free access to EU markets based on defined rules of origin. This is also due to the strong demand for the vehicle, which is increasingly establishing itself as the ultimate beach and country house vehicle. This has led to the creation of new jobs to bring the brand into its growth phase, including expansion into international markets. “The return of full Moke production to the UK coast is a homecoming for one of our country’s most beloved icons. Since the brand was revived in 2017, we have cast a spell over existing enthusiasts and a whole new generation with the perfect combination The fun, utility and open air enjoyment of MOKE, “said Isobel Dando, CEO of Moke International,” This is reflected in considerable demand in our home market and confirms our plans to bring the ultimate vehicle to market globally the way from the beach to the resort. “
The Fablink Group, headquartered in Northamptonshire, England, is a leading Tier 1 supplier of automotive structures and complete vehicle assemblies to several global OEMs. The Fablink Group provides comprehensive design, manufacturing and engineering services for some of the world’s leading automobile manufacturers, including Jaguar Land Rover and Morgan. The company has a production area of over 45,000 square meters and employs around 700 people at its six UK locations. The company’s long-term commitment to moke manufacturing is reflected in important investments in modern manufacturing capabilities and processes that are designed to ensure a flexible response to customer demand. The British want to further expand their range of customer-specific solutions.
At 3.23 meters, the new version is 19 centimeters longer than its ancestor. It looks similar with the width of 1.66 meters (plus 30 centimeters), the height of 1.56 cm (plus eight centimeters). Those interested in Moke can choose a wide range of colors and equipment options for the entire vehicle. In addition to the 13 standard colors, this includes configurable, individual colors for the chassis, the bumpers, the center struts and the radiator grille of the vehicle – and thus almost unlimited possibilities to individually interpret the iconic design of the little Moke. In July, the brand invited fans and customers to take a commando tour with a limited edition Military Spec collection, reminiscent of the original commission from design legend Sir Alec Issigonis to create a vehicle that is robust enough to be used behind the scenes enemy lines being dropped from an aircraft. Based on these functional origins, the former Mini Moke quickly captured the imagination of the glamorous world public. The Beatles, the Beach Boys and even Brigitte Bardot were delighted with the open pleasure and freedom of the car, and it soon became the ultimate shuttle between the beach house and the sea. Some hotels in Asia or the Caribbean still use the Mokes as shuttle vehicles.
The vehicle has only grown slightly compared to its original model and has received some subtle comfort details. The Moke, which costs at least £ 20,000, offers power steering, a heated windshield and a little more space inside. It is powered by a 1.1 liter four-cylinder petrol engine with 50 kW / 68 hp and a narrow torque of 93 Nm. The power is transmitted to the front axle via a five-speed manual gearbox or a four-slope automatic. That’s enough for almost 110 km / h. It has not yet been decided exactly when the electric version will premiere. However, the size of the vehicle, the purpose of use and the platform, as well as the increasingly strict legal requirements, speak in favor of it.
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