Reborn in 2020 thanks to Moke International, which bought the rights to the Moke brand in 2017, the Mini Moke will “come home”, with the assembly of the iconic model going to the UK.
Designed in the UK, the “modern” version of this buggy was, until now, assembled in France. However, an agreement between Moke International and the British company Fablink will allow the new Mini Moke to be produced entirely in its home country.
According to Moke International, the recent trade agreement between the United Kingdom and the European Union was crucial to make the production of the model in the country viable. After all, this is what makes it possible to export models produced exclusively in the UK to the European Union.
The "new" Moke
Still based on the original Austin Mini, the new Mini Moke is slightly wider than the original model (to offer more space for passengers) and features a 1.1 l four-cylinder engine that produces 68 hp at 6000 rpm and 93 hp. Nm of torque between 3500 and 4500 rpm, figures that allow it to reach… 109 km/h of top speed.
As for the transmission, this is in charge of an automatic gearbox with four ratios or a manual gearbox with five. Compared to the original Moke, the “modern” version also has “luxuries” such as power steering or the heated windshield and has seen the suspension, chassis and braking system improved.
Sold for 20 thousand pounds (about 23 thousand euros) in the United Kingdom, it is not yet known if Moke International plans to sell its Mini Moke here, a model that, curiously, was produced in Portugal for many years.
There are intentions to sell the returned Moke in the rest of Europe, but at the moment no dates have been announced when it could happen.