Return of the Moke
Mini-inspired beach car back in production
MOKE International has announced the launch of its revived Moke, starting with a limited edition of UK-only ‘MOKE 56s’, celebrating the car’s 56th anniversary.
The re-birth of the model has been in the works since 2015, with the company having initially focused on sales in the Caribbean. The is car now approved for sale in the UK and additional models are planned for 2021 to allow for sales in Europe, the US and beyond. The cars are partially assembled in Birmingham, with final assembly in Cerizay, France.
The bodyshell is an almost complete copy of the original Moke, though slightly enlarged, while the interior features the original’s iconic central speedometer. To encourage 21st century success, however, the car is fitted with power steering, power brakes and other mod cons.
Power (67bhp) is similar to that of an original Mini Cooper, though it’s not an A-series under the bonnet, but a 1083cc four-cylinder from Chinese manufacturer, Chery, driving through a four-speed automatic gearbox. Suspension is by coil springs all round.
MOKE International CEO, Isobel Dando, told Classic
Car Weekly: ‘MOKE is an iconic British brand that has always evoked feelings of fun and freedom. The Beatles, The Beach Boys and Brigitte Bardot have all been captivated by the personality and unique styling of these iconic cars. We’re excited to re-launch the brand into a new era and introduce MOKE to the next generation.’
❚ mokeinternational.com