Revived cult classic all-electric Moke makes it to the States

Moke into America: an all-new electric version of the original Mini Moke harks back to its roots with a limited-edition Californian model

Electric Moke Californian
Electric Moke Californian
(Image credit: MOKE International)

The original Mini Moke had ‘cult classic’ written all over it, and that was before it turned up as a psychedelic transportation device in that high point of 1960s weirdness, The Prisoner. The Moke’s design began life as a stripped-down Mini, beefed up and simplified with a view to creating a compact utility vehicle for military use.

Electric Moke Californian beside a marina full of boats

(Image credit: MOKE International)

The Moke never made it to the battlefront, but it became a familiar sight as an ultra-light vehicle in beach resorts and other such carefree communities. 

Beloved by pop cultural figures of the day, the basic design stayed in production from 1964 until 1993, before it was revived under the initiative of product designer Michael Young.

Steering wheel of Electric Moke Californian

(Image credit: MOKE International)

The new version was given a subtle facelift and was re-engineered for modern conditions, but otherwise the ethos stayed much the same. Young and his team set up a company, Moke International, which started off by part-building the revised car in China, before it was shipped for final assembly in its place of sale. 

An electric version was also introduced, which in many ways made it the perfect manifestation of Sir Alec Issigonis’ original concept.

Car speedometer

(Image credit: MOKE International)

This is the new Electric Moke Californian, a strictly limited production series of the reinvigorated machine, designed in homage to a 1977 Moke Californian edition built at the height of beach buggy mania.

Electric Moke Californian near beach

(Image credit: MOKE International)

Just 325 examples of the new Californian will be available each year, fully compliant with the States’ rigorous laws as well as being highway legal. 

With a top speed of 50mph, it’s perhaps the fastest Moke model ever made, the open-framed body offering an invigorating ride.

Rear view of Electric Moke Californian

(Image credit: MOKE International)

Moke Californian, available from Moke International, from $41,900 

mokeinternational.com

Jonathan Bell has written for Wallpaper* magazine since 1999, covering everything from architecture and transport design to books, tech and graphic design. He is now the magazine’s Transport and Technology Editor. Jonathan has written and edited 15 books, including Concept Car Design, 21st Century House, and The New Modern House. He is also the host of Wallpaper’s first podcast.