FIFTY-SIX YEARS AFTER it first shocked British motorists, the Moke is set to make a return (in Britain, but almost certainly not in Australia).
From today, UK customers will be able to order one of 56 limited edition Mokes, an allocation selected to signify the number of years since the Mini Moke first appeared in Britain in 1964. Order books also open for Mokes in standard configuration, confirming the permanent return of the brand.
Moke International revives a quintessentially British design that has charmed for more than half a century. Brigitte Bardot epitomised Riviera chic in her Moke. The brand has since been enjoyed and championed by fun-seekers including Kate Moss and DJ Khalid. To date the car has also appeared in four James Bond films.
The original Moke was designed in the 1960s by Sir Alec Issigonis, the architect of the Austin Mini. It was first specified as a military vehicle engineered to be robust enough for deployment behind enemy lines by aeroplane. The original shared components including suspension and chassis with the Mini.
The Moke soon became one of the best-loved symbols of the 1960s. Becoming the mode of travel for the inhabitants of the most exclusive coastal resorts in Europe, the Caribbean, US and Asia. To this day it remains the beachhouse-to-waterfront shuttle of choice.
56 cars for 56 years
Moke will mark its return with a strictly limited run of 56 cars, built for sale exclusively in the United Kingdom. Each is available in a choice of 14 colours and the Limited Edition ‘MOKE 56’ comes with the front grille and windscreen rails in chrome, a discrete Union Jack badge on the front wings, and a numbered plaque on the bonnet.
Waiting lists are filling fast with resorts and private buyers in English coastal hotspots taking particular interest.
Redesigned and reborn
The original Moke trademark was acquired in 2015 and is now owned by Moke International Limited. The initial focus has been on meeting demand in the Caribbean market where Moke is popular with both private buyers and luxury resorts and hotels. Following UK regulatory approval, Mokes are now available to purchase across the United Kingdom and Ireland. Additional models will be launched across Europe, the USA and beyond in 2021.
Engineering and performance
Moke International will stay true to its British and Continental roots through its strategic approach to manufacturing and engineering. All Moke bodies will be engineered and sub-assembled in the centre of Britain’s globally renowned specialist automotive manufacturing industry in the Midlands before being shipped to Cerizay, France for final assembly.
Today’s Mokes remain true to the look and feel of the original, with a particular focus on maintaining the sense of fun and freedom that has endeared the car to so many for more than five decades. Updates include a new four-cylinder, fuel injection engine, uprated suspension, braking and the option for either automatic transmission or manual.
The vehicle is also slightly larger to provide more cabin space. Features previously viewed as a luxury like power steering and heated windscreen now come as standard.
From today, UK buyers will be invited to order either the limited edition ’Moke 56’ or the standard Moke Classic, which begins full production. Indicative pricing starts at £20,000 ($A35,570) excluding local taxes and delivery.
Specifications
Transmission: 4-speed Automatic
Engine: four-cylinder, 1083cc
Fuel Economy: 34 mpg (7L/100km)
Emissions standard: Euro 4
Top Speed: 68mph (110km/h)
Power: 67hp (50Kw) @ 6000 rpm
Torque: 93Nm @ 3500–4500 rpm
And whatever happened to …
The revived Moke in the UK reminded us that there was another attempt to bring the Moke back to market, this time by an Australian company (based in Southport, Queensland), coincidentally called Moke International.
This company teamed with Sicar Engineering and Chinese car company Chery and announced that the new “Classic” Moke would be released in 2013. The company also announced it would produce the eMoke, “the first recreational vehicle to be completely electric”.
The petrol Moke was to use a 993cc Chery motor producing 50kW and torque of 93Nm (exactly the same figures as the new Moke) and was based on the Chery QQ3 city car. It wasn’t foreseen that it would include airbags, ABS or stability control but was able to sidestep safety regulations because production was predicted to be less than 100 per year. Projected price was from $22,990.
After that initial announcement, nothing more was heard of the company.
The entrepreneur behind the plan told us, at the time, there was “one last hurdle to jump” before Australian approval was granted. It sounds like it was one hurdle too high.