Modern-Day Moke Lands In Britain From £20,000 But It Doesn’t Come From MINI

Designed in the late 1950s by the legendary Sir Alec Issigonis, the architect of the Austin Mini, the original Moke was originally conceived as a military vehicle.

The thinking behind it was to make the Moke robust enough for deployment behind enemy lines by airplane. However, the UK’s military officials were not impressed with the Moke’s capabilities. Sharing many components with the original Mini, including the chassis and suspension, the Moke soon became one of the best-loved symbols of the 1960s.

That’s because it reinvented itself as a recreational vehicle when the civilian version launched in 1964. It became the mode of transportation for the inhabitants of the most exclusive coastal resorts in Europe, the Caribbean, the U.S., and Asia.

2021 Moke Classic

Now, the Moke is back, combining the same unmistakable looks with an upgraded powertrain and chassis to meet the requirements of modern buyers. The company responsible for that is called Moke International Limited and it acquired the original Moke trademark in 2015.

While the modern-day Moke remains true to the looks and feel of the original, it is slightly larger to provide more cabin space. Furthermore, it’s equipped with features previously viewed as a luxury, like power steering and a heated windscreen.

The 2021 Moke also features updates like a new 1.1-liter four-cylinder petrol engine making 67 HP (68 PS / 50 kW) at 6,000 rpm and 93 Nm (68 lb-ft) of torque at 3,500–4,500 rpm, uprated suspension and braking systems, and a choice of four-speed automatic or five-speed manual transmissions. All Moke bodies are engineered and sub-assembled in Britain’s Midlands region before being shipped to Cerizay, France for final assembly.

2021 Moke 56 limited edition

Following UK regulatory approval, the new Moke, which can only reach a top speed of 68 mph (109 km/h), is now available to purchase across the United Kingdom and Ireland, with UK prices starting from £20,000 ($25,950), excluding local taxes and delivery.

Starting today, UK customers will be able to order one of 56 limited edition Mokes, one for each year since the original Mini Moke launched in Britain in 1964. The UK-exclusive Moke 56 anniversary model is available in a choice of 14 colors, chrome front grille, and windscreen rails, union jack badge on the front wings, and a numbered plaque on the bonnet. Order books are also open in the UK and Ireland for the standard Moke Classic.

Moke International says it will launch additional models across Europe and the United States in 2021. The company is already present in Caribbean markets where the Moke is apparently popular with both private buyers and luxury resorts and hotels.