As early as 2014, the Chinese carmaker Cherry tried to breathe new life into the legendary Mini Moke. Not many were sold and the next attempt last year with a combustion engine was also a non-starter. But now it should finally run better with an electric drive. After 40 years, Moke is bringing his Californian back to the road with an electric version. Moke International now owns the original Moke trademarks of the British Motor Corporation. Like its European brother Electric Moke, the electric Moke Californian is produced in the Fablink Group's production facility in Northamptonshire / Great Britain. Its name pays homage to the 1977 Moke Californian - an improved version of the Mini Moke that was sold in America and ceased production in 1982.
The look is exactly as you know it from the original Moke. But instead of the well-known petrol engine, the 800-kilogram Electric Moke is powered by a 33 kW / 44 hp electric motor, which makes it a manageable 80 km/h. The maximum range: also manageable 120 kilometers. In a stately four hours, the Moke Californian regains its full willingness to perform after the work is done. At 3.23 meters, the new version is 19 centimeters longer than the ancestor. It looks similar with a width of 1.66 meters (plus 30 centimeters) and a height of 1.56 cm (plus eight centimeters). Isobel Dando, CEO of Moke International: “It's great that we can offer a real Moke car to the US market for the first time in 40 years. The original Moke Californian represents an incredibly important chapter in the company's rich history; we are proud that the MOKE lives on and can be enjoyed in the electric era.”
Built by the British Motor Corporation in 1959, the prototypes were developed under the code name "The Buckboard". Originally, the Mini Moke was intended as a light military vehicle that could be parachuted into war zones and help troops quickly negotiate rough terrain Marketed domestically as a utility vehicle for farmers and workers, it quickly found a following around the world, particularly in the south of France and Australia, where its rugged build and open roof made it the ultimate beach shuttle, especially among celebrities and the The beach vehicle made a name for itself as a cult vehicle in the film industry in the 1960s. There were many variants of the original Mini Moke until production ceased in 1993. The most famous was the Moke Californian, which was sold in the USA from 1977 to 1982. Dated Design-wise, it deviated from the utilitarian look of the Mini Moke, giving it a popular with young, fashion-conscious crowds in sun-soaked spots like Playa del Rey and Cayucos.
Mini father Alec Issigonis designed the British midget about 60 years ago for the British Motor Corporation (BMC). Almost 50,000 Mokes were produced between 1963 and 1992. The roofless car soon became a symbolic vehicle for the beach boy generation. British designer Michael Young has given the open four-seater a little refreshment. Since the brand's tentative revival in 2017, Moke International's production has been based between the Midlands and France, with the first vehicles being developed in the UK and assembled on the European continent. The full move back to the UK has been made possible by UK government grants from the Niche Vehicle Network, as well as the recent trade deal giving UK car companies duty-free access to EU markets based on defined rules of origin. “The return of full Moke production to the British shores is a homecoming for one of our country's most beloved icons. Since reviving the brand in 2017, we've re-engaged existing enthusiasts and introduced a whole new generation to the MOKE's perfect combination of fun, utility and open-air enjoyment,” says Isobel Dando, “this is reflected reflected in significant demand in our home market and confirms our plans to launch the ultimate beach-to-resort vehicle globally.”
Headquartered in Northamptonshire, England, Fablink Group is a leading Tier 1 supplier of automotive structures and complete vehicle assemblies to a number of global OEMs. The Fablink Group provides comprehensive design, manufacturing and engineering services to some of the world's leading car manufacturers including Jaguar Land Rover and Morgan. The company has over 45,000 square meters of production space and employs around 700 people at its six UK sites.
