New Moke available to order now
Production begins today at Fablink Group in the UK, priced from £24k
Those that can remember as far back as last September might remember the Moke's reveal, a resurrection of the iconic Mini of the same name. Back then plans were modest, with just a few being assembled in France as the Moke brand made its first steps. Well today comes some good news: not only are more Mokes being made, but they're being also built in Britain.
Fablink Group in Northamptonshire is a Tier 1 supplier, and with 500,000 square foot of production space it ought to be able to squeeze a few Mokes in. The move to get the entire process into the UK has been made possible, says Moke, by government funding from the Niche Vehicle Network, and a trade deal that gives UK automotive companies tariff-free access to EU markets. Apparently, there's been some demand from those close to the coast...
Despite the change of production location, the same Moke will be assembled as was announced last year. So it's powered by a rather anaemic 67hp, 1.1-litre four-cylinder, which is linked to a four-speed automatic gearbox (a manual is available). Those eyeing one up for a town runaround be aware, too - the Moke only meets Euro 4 emissions standards, so may not long be eligible for ULEZ zones. And it only does 34mpg...
But it's hard to care about the prosaic stuff when presented with a car that looks like this, carrying surfboards to the beach. It's the idyllic Moke lifestyle, as desirable now as it was half a century ago. As part of the relaunch, a Military Spec has been devised with colour matched wheels and "military-themed design features". It all harks back to one of Issigonis' briefs for the first one, which was to create a vehicle robust enough to be chucked out of a plane for operations behind enemy lines. Though it won't be pressed into that kind of service this time around, a military Moke does look kind of funky.
Because they all do, don't they? It doesn't take much imagination to picture a brilliant day at the seaside with a Moke, wind in the hair and sun on your face. Perhaps the reality in the UK might be a tad different, but it remains a nice daydream. Moke says "indicative pricing" starts at £20k, with taxes and delivery excluded, which isn't exactly a snip. But when the numbers come in and you relocate to the coast, there'll be nothing better for the journey from cottage to beach hut.
If they could do that for around £25k to £30k, I might be interested.
kers spaff their load over this. If they could do that for around £25k to £30k, I might be interested.
https://en.nosmoke.fr/electric-vehicles-range
I bought a Nosmoke for our summer house 2 years ago, I built a shoddy car port with solar panels to park it in. The solar panels, inverter, box, battery bank was €8000. We have another power bank in the garage that was €5000 that runs the house and uses the Nosmoke and battery bank as a storage during the winter to run the heat pump and a/c instead of mains. Although we are still connected.
Over lockdown we made a €600 200w flexible solar bikini top to replace the canvas one. This way when it is parked it charges the 12v battery and then the main car battery, it would take weeks to charge the main battery. But it just means it is always doing its thing in town or at the beach. That way we can leave the eski plugged in to keep the drinks cold.
Why you would want a 1.1 version for £20,000-30,000 is beyond me
*provided it comes with this bonnet ornament
I'm not surprised at the £24k price tag. However, I can't see them selling many. I'd be interested to see what their sales forecasts are and I almost expect the company to go belly up and in two years time the entire factory will be up for sale including all the tooling only for someone else to take it on.
67bhp in something like that through no doubt an old style slushmatic is going to be slow, but does a vehicle like that need to be fast? no not really, so the lazy box will be well suited for its intended use.
Also, how come that car us running what looks to be old school halogen side lights and indicators when you can get Defender fitment LEDs now which are considerably better than those old style lamp units. Same applies for the headlights as well!
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff