It's not a practical item, but one can see why the jet-setting crowd would want one for their beach residences.
When you observe the world around you and see what cars are out there, it reveals the environments they're typically found in. Supercars are typical of places like Monaco or upscale areas like Mayfair, while Range Rovers and Rolls-Royces tend to be seen alongside buildings with chandeliers. Superminis, on the other hand, usually hang out in grocery store parking lots, and the BMW 3 Series and similar vehicles are commonly found near industrial parks. So, where does the Moke International Moke belong? Primarily beaches, and anywhere there's someone looking for a chance to be the center of attention.
You may have come across the name before, with the "Mini" prefix added. Examine the new car, and its ancient lineage becomes clear. The original Mini Moke was conceived in the late 1950s as a military vehicle. A stripped-back, miniaturized version of a city car that kickstarted Britain's motoring, it featured minimal protection - no roof or doors - and was engineered to be parachuted into combat zones, allowing troops to traverse hostile terrain quickly.
It simply wasn't very effective at that. The speeds were too slow, making it unable to navigate over small obstacles. The gas-powered engine was also underwhelming, resulting in a long time to regain momentum after becoming unstuck - a challenging feat even when it was light enough to be manually lifted. In the pressurized environment of war, exiting a car to slowly travel from point A to point B was hardly ideal. It was later marketed towards agricultural and civilian use, but it really found its stride once it reached the beaches of the world.
The Moke was an ideal vehicle for a stylish and carefree lifestyle by the sea. It was small, lightweight, and spacious enough for a driver and a few close friends. This car's charm was showcased in various movies and TV shows, where it was often depicted as a fashionable vehicle, as seen when celebrities like The Beatles, The Beach Boys, or Brigitte Bardot were behind the wheel. Although the Moke may not have been effective as a military vehicle, its sophistication and elegance made it stand out as a glamorous vehicle for leisure activities, making it perfect for enjoy a sophisticated evening at a villa with a glass of wine.
Today's Moke is an electric tribute to the stylish Mini Moke of the past. At first glance, you might think it's the same size. Get closer and you'll notice that the new car is a bit larger. Specifically, it's about ten percent larger. This is because it now has four comfortable seats and a spacious interior that conceals all the Moke's electric technology. Under the hood, there's a 10.5-kilowatt-hour battery connected to a 44-horsepower (33-kilowatt) motor that powers the rear wheels.
Now, the modern Moke is more of a recreational vehicle than an actual car. Its top speed is capped at 50 mph. You won't be using this on the highway, and, frankly, it feels a bit quirky at top speed. The Moke International is extremely exposed to the elements and has a relatively low center of gravity. When you've got a roof and doors, 50 mph feels fine, but in an open-top buggy, it's quite unusual. Moke International claims it goes from 0 to 30 mph in 4.5 seconds, and it certainly accelerates quickly off the line. The company claims it can travel 54 miles on the European WLTP cycle, but if you drive efficiently, you might be able to get a bit more out of it. There's no fast charging available either. You can charge to 80% in two hours, and getting the rest of the way fully charged will take the same amount of time.
The Moke International Electric.
For something as straightforward as a classic car can be, it does come with drive modes: standard, economical and coastal. Standard is perfectly adequate for most purposes. Economical dampens the accelerator to extract as much range as possible and makes it feel a bit... lethargic. Coastal is Moke International’s version of sports mode. Extra enthusiasm is added to its step with little inhibitions. It indeed caught a few people off guard when accelerating in Central London’s morning traffic.
Driving isn’t power assisted, so if you're new to driving, you'll want to practice at low speeds first. Otherwise, once you get up to speed, driving becomes easy. As you drive, you can expect the standard steering experience – it allows you to turn the car, but doesn't offer detailed feedback on what you're doing. However, you can still have fun with the lightweight car, which weighs under 800 kg. You won't be able to do tight turns at low speeds, but while driving normally, you can make sharp turns by pulling the wheel, and it will smoothly handle the turns.
The soft top does not offer significant protection against harsh weather conditions.
You'll also observe that there's minimal weather protection. You can attach a soft top and large plastic doors, but if you're one who can tolerate rough conditions, you can drive without them. The interior materials are marine-grade. These vehicles are engineered to thrive in coastal areas and withstand moisture, so a heavy downpour won't damage the seats or the speakers. Additionally, you can enjoy your music on the go thanks to a reliable Bluetooth setup, which delivers fairly good audio quality while driving.
You'll find charge ports, cables, and batteries located in its sill area. Conveniently, there's a small trunk at the rear to store any items you wish to lock away securely. This is a thoughtful touch to practicality in a car, otherwise, you'd store items at your feet or leave them in the back, which may result in damage or loss.
The Moke's uncomplicated musical arrangement.
There are a couple of things about the Moke that'll annoy you if you hang around for a bit. The sills are quite high and wide, making it somewhat of a challenge to get in and out of the car, especially if you're inflexible. It's nothing insurmountable, but it requires some flexibility. Additionally, if the car has been exposed to rain for a while, water often collects on the sills, which can lead to a rather refreshing surprise when you're getting in – damp clothing, specifically wet pants. It's not a major issue, but it's something to be aware of. A good idea is to be prepared by wearing water-friendly clothing, like swim trunks, to make the experience more pleasant.
You may also be concerned by the lack of decoration inside the cabin. The interior is minimalist, and while it has its own charm, for a $41,900 price tag, there should be more visual interest in the cabin. The music controls look somewhat rough, which takes away some of the appeal. Moke International's instrument gauges are unique, but they're small touches of style in an otherwise plain interior design. Yes, the car's purpose is to drive you to and from the beach in a stylish way, but it would be nice to have some visual flair inside.
The interior is stark and unfazed, but at least it's protected from the elements.
The two brands are quite distinct, despite the similarity in their cars, which are called 'Moke'. They are involved in a dispute over trademark rights. Both companies want their brand name to be displayed on the vehicle. The situation has become increasingly complex. The American Moke features a 12kWh battery, has less power, a top speed of 25mph, takes a longer time to charge, and can cover a distance of 40 miles before needing to be recharged. It is classified as a 'Low Speed Vehicle' by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which means it cannot be driven on roads with speed limits above 35mph. On the other hand, it is slightly less expensive than the British car, with a price tag nearly $20,000 lower.
The Moke International project boasts a strong lineup of leaders. The firm has recently welcomed Nick English, co-founder of premium watchmaker Bremont, as Executive Chairman. His expertise in the luxury market is considerable, and given that the cars were already appearing in prominent settings, they are likely to end up in even more exclusive collections under his guidance. Notably, David Moore, formerly of JLR, holds the position of Program Manager, bringing his experience to bear on addressing the current model's imperfections.
Moke America has introduced its own version of the Moke in the US, but the version being headed to the States is different.
Let's be honest about the Moke International. It's an utterly absurd vehicle. It captures everyone's attention wherever it goes, but it's largely impractical for anything beyond casual, sunny drives around the neighborhood. Moreover, its design makes it difficult to get in and out, and the interior is spartan. Nevertheless, guaranteed to put a smile on your face, it is a joyful vehicle made for happy people who love to be happy on the road. And if I could afford one without hesitation, I'd likely be extremely happy indeed.
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| Moke International Electric Moke | |
| Base Price | $41,900 |
| Drive Type | Single-motor RWD |
| EV Range | 52 miles (WLTP) |
| Output | 44 Horsepower |
| Maximum torque | 96 LB-FT |
| Battery | 10.5 kWh lithium-ion |
| Weight | Less than 1,764 LBS |