Would you be excited about an EV like this? Test drive the Electric Moke: 44hp and 80km/h is fun! | AUTOCAR JAPAN
A small military vehicle that can be parachuted?
The Mini Moke has a long and complicated history. It was produced in six countries between 1964 and 1993, and has had many variants, kit cars and replicas. And the story isn’t over yet.
“We’ve spent a lot of time and money defending this model,” says Nick English, the newly appointed chairman of Moke International, before the electric Moke is ready to hit the road.
The company and Moke America, the North American manufacturer of a look-alike car, have been embroiled in a recent legal dispute over who first used the Moke brand name and who currently owns it.
But there was agreement on at least one thing: Moke is not a generic name, like a hovercraft or a beach buggy.
Alec Issigonis, who designed the BMC Morris Mini-Minor, used its components to create the original Mini-Moke, apparently hoping to boost production and take some of Land Rover’s sales.
BMC presented the Moke to the British military as a small military vehicle that could be dropped by parachute from an airplane. However, it had low ground clearance and was front-wheel drive, which meant it had issues with running on rough roads. The idea was well received, but it was not officially adopted.
It was also proposed to the US military. It had a second engine and four-wheel drive, but it still lacked ground clearance. It didn’t have the appeal to compete with the Jeep.
Electric motor is 300mm longer than the original
Although it was eventually released as a commercial vehicle, the UK tax office deemed it a passenger car, meaning that it was unable to keep the purchase tax low. Nevertheless, it was highly fashionable and gained a certain amount of support as a second car for vacation homes.
The Mini Moke subsequently changed brands, from Austin to Leyland, before being acquired by the Italian motorcycle manufacturer Cagiva, which went bankrupt in 1992.
Electric Moke (UK spec)Fast forward to 2012, and the Moke brand was resurrected as a joint venture between Chinese car manufacturer Cherry and Jaguar Land Rover, now known as Moke International.
Industrial designer Michael Young designed the car while maintaining a similar appearance, and production began in 2013. It was introduced in multiple markets by Cherry. A battery EV version was also released in 2018. After several improvements, it has arrived at the car we are test driving this time.
The weather is lovely in the UK today, so what better way to enjoy the short life we have than by taking a ride on an electric motor.
It is quite small, with a length of 3325mm, width of 1660mm and height of 1550mm, but it is actually about 300mm longer and wider than the original Moke. The chassis is a steel space frame, and the control system for the electric powertrain is located under the bonnet.
The suspension is a MacPherson strut type in the front and a trailing arm type in the rear. The car weighs 741kg, which is heavier than before, but the original concept of being simple and light has been maintained. Although I’m hesitant to drop it from an airplane, it looks like it would be fun to watch.
Maximum output 44ps Surprisingly well-known
Photos Would you be excited about a BEV like this? Electric Moke, the first Mini Minor, electric Minis, all 131 photos