2024 Meyers Manx 2.0 Electric: The Original Dune Buggy, Remastered
It's finally happening: The iconic Meyers Manx is being reborn for a third time, now as a pure electric vehicle. No, it's not the ID Buggy concept Volkswagen cruelly teased us with a few years ago before crushing our dreams, it's an all-new model from the original outfit. Meet the Meyers Manx 2.0 Electric.
Real Deal
Lest you think this is another one of those startups that has nothing to do with the original, the EV dune buggy is being produced in California by the Meyers Manx company in partnership with "a U.S.-based manufacturing entity." Manx fans will know that founder Bruce Meyers died in February 2021 at age 94, and a year prior had sold his eponymous company to Trousdale Ventures to ensure its continuation after his passing. Trousdale founder and Meyers Manx chairman Phillip Sarofim hired legendary car designer Freeman Thomas, who penned the Volkswagen New Beetle among other notable projects, to create this next-generation Manx EV.
Thomas' work is refreshingly true to the original while incorporating modern components and working around a wildly different drivetrain. Even so, it likely has more in common with the original Manx than the later models you know. The first Manx featured a custom fiberglass monocoque body with embedded steel mounting points and reinforcements. Too expensive to mass produce, Meyers switched to using a shortened Volkswagen Beetle platform with a fiberglass body after 12 unprofitable cars were built.
Small Battery, Lightweight, And Plenty Of Range
This new model utilizes an aluminum monocoque covered with a body made of an unspecified material. Indeed, a number of technical details are unclear or unannounced at this time. Regardless, hidden somewhere under the retro body work is a choice of two battery packs, one 20 kWh and one 40 kWh. Those are small by EV standards, but unlike a Tesla, the Manx 2.0 Electric only weighs an estimated 1,500 to 1,650 pounds depending on battery size.
Thanks to its low weight, Meyers Manx estimates the buggy will go 150 miles with the small battery and 300 miles with the big battery. A Level 2 (6 kW) onboard charger is standard and DC Fast charging capability is optional, though only at 60 kW. Here again, the stats are unimpressive for a road-going EV, but the Manx 2.0 Electric's batteries are so small they shouldn't take too long to charge even at those speeds. We can't say for sure, though, because the company has not shared charging times.
Regardless of battery size, power will be sent to a pair of electric motors mounted on the rear axle, one driving each rear wheel for precise traction control and torque vectoring. Meyers Manx doesn't have specs on the motors paired with the smaller 40 kWh battery but says that model buggy will hit 60 mph in an estimated 4.5 seconds. Go for the big battery and the motors will put out 202 horsepower and "up to" 240 pound-feet of torque. The company didn't provide a zero-to-60 estimate for that model but it'll certainly be quicker.
Ready To Go Off-Road
Like the original, the Manx 2.0 Electric will feature independent front and rear suspension, but we don't have any details on the design used. Photos indicate a trailing arm front suspension like the original air-cooled Beetles and the original Manx. The rear, however, appears to be a modern multi-link design rather than old swing arm setup. Both look to have plenty of travel as an off-roader should, but the company hasn't provided those specs or official ground clearance.
Unlike the old Beetle-based kit car, this new one features disc brakes all around instead of drums and also adds regenerative braking on the rear axle, not to mention an electric parking brake. Up front, the Manx 2.0 Electric gets electric power steering and even windshield wipers.
In all the most important ways, though, it's true to the original. It's rear-wheel drive, has knobby off-road tires, seats two, and the roof comes off. Inside, the seats appear to be wrapped in a vintage tweed pattern and the minimalist dashboard features a single retro-modern round gauge. The roof appears to be one piece that lifts off the car and gets left in the garage. Like the old days, there are no doors. We hope there's more lockable storage in the front and rear now that there's no engine or gas tank in those spots.
No Price Yet, But You Can Be An Early Adopter
The biggest unanswered question we have is what the price tag will be for this adult-sized beach toy. Meyers Manx says they haven't set one yet, but if you don't care and want to get your name on the list now, reservations will open on the company's website after the car's public debut at The Quail show on Friday, August 19, during Monterey Car Week. Deliveries will begin in 2024.
If you want to be a real early adopter, though, 50 buyers will be selected to participate in a beta program in 2023. In return for special access, you have to agree to provide feedback to the company while they work out the final kinks before full production begins.
You may also like
With the retirement of the third-generation 6 sedan, just two car models remain in Mazda's 2022 lineup, the MX-5 Miata roadster and 3 compact (and really, it's more like three cars since the 3 comes in both sedan and hatchback varieties). Model year updates for each include new exterior colors, interior materials, drivetrain technology, and even a new trim for the 3.The 6 is gone, but that might be only for now. There's a promise of something wearing the 6 badge on the horizon. Keep reading for more about that future sedan as well as what's new and different with every 2022 Mazda car.
It holds the "holy grail" designation by most every import enthusiast's wish list and even raises the eyebrow of a substantial number of those that don't usually dabble in Japanese cars. Serving as the most popular model of the legendary Nissan Skyline family, this 2001 V-Spec II takes the drool-factor up quite a few notches and is being made available through Mecum Auto Auctions' Monterey visit from August 18-20.The Paul Walker/Fast & Furious ConnectionIf this R34 looks familiar with its gold and black decals and matte bronze TE37, Mecum states that this vehicle was used as a demo car to promote various Fast and Furious movies and was in the care of the late Paul Walker for an extended amount of time. The late actor reportedly racked up around 18,000 miles on the car. In addition, it was also used in BF Goodrich ads around the same time.Wait just a minute; a 2001 Skyline is too young to meet the federal government's 25-year import law, which forbids any Japanese (or other foreign market) vehicle manufactured less than two and a half decades ago to legally hit U.S. streets, right? That's what makes this example so unique. Given a pardon by the U.S. Government, its lucky new owner can take pride in the fact that their street legal R34 is able to hit their local freeways about four years earlier than the 2026 import law target date.Shady TimesRegistered as a 1999 model, its pardon is a bit of a shock given the cars burry past. A deep dive by the EPA and Los Angeles Sheriff's office zeroed in on importer Motorex, which was importing Nissan Skylines for eager customers in the 2000s. The service included sourcing the vehicle from overseas, physically importing it, taking care of the paperwork, and using an experienced third party to help meet crash and emissions guidelines to legalize a number of vehicles.Those guidelines included lowering the crash bars inside the Skyline's doors, adding multiple catalytic converters, and even more to satisfy the Department of Transportation's specifications. A multi-faceted series of events, the process was both lengthy and costly and took its toll on the business, as the owner was importing cars and collecting customer money much faster than the vehicles were being cleared and delivered to their new owners.A snowball effect resulted, exacerbated by what employees would refer to as excessive partying and a lavish lifestyle that left many without the car's they paid for. Add to that a theft report filed by Motorex that claimed multiple vehicles (for some reason left outside overnight) has been mysteriously stolen, and authorities began taking a closer look.What was uncovered included critical legal processes being skipped entirely and even in the face of speculation, undocumented Skylines steadily increased. That is, until the D.O.T. put a stop to importing pre-and-post 1996-99 Nissan Skylines entirely, while Motorex had its importer status pulled. A series of events, including physical assault, court hearings, jail time, the federal impounding of illegal vehicles, and so much more added to the tangled story of the Motorex fallout.Miraculously, a handful of R34 Skyline GT-R that Motorex had imported actually received the Governments pardon and were granted bond release on the condition that they were made NHTSA and D.O.T. compliant - like this one now being offered by Mecum.Mildly UpgradedThis is number 672 of 1,855 V-Spec IIs ever produced, and aside from its time in the spotlight with Paul Walker and appearing in print ads, it also has some choice modifications on board. The original 2.6L I-6 and 6-speed transmission remain inside the Bayside Blue model, updated with Nismo carbon fiber intakes, a GReddy intake manifold, radiator, and Trust exhaust. GReddy also gave the car a once-over, performing a complete tune up recently.Along with the 2000s-era graphics, the R34 was lowered with Tein coilovers complete with adjustable EDFC and TE37 Saga wheels were added. The cabin remains almost entirely original, the only notable additions being an ancient Momo Apache steering wheel and Sparco harnesses. Meticulously maintained, the car is in incredible condition both inside and out and estimated to fetch somewhere in the neighborhood of $750,000-$850,000 during Mecum Auctions' Monterey visit later this week.Given its history and exclusive status, it's probably worth every penny.
The 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning is a big deal. Ford made headlines around the world when it announced the new electric F-150, not just because it was electrifying the best-selling vehicle in North America, but because of how affordable it made the EV pickup. With the 2022 Rivian R1T and 2022 GMC Hummer EV Pickup starting at $68,645 and $110,295 respectively, the F-150 Lightning's $41,669 start price is seen as democratizing the electric pickup. With the release of the F-150 Lightning's configurator today, that affordable aura still appears to hold true—so long as you don't need to step up to the optional 300-mile Extended Range Battery.Maverick-Sized Upcharge on F-150 Lightning XLT Extended Range?All F-150 Lightnings come standard with a dual-motor all-wheel drive system good for 426 hp and 775 lb-ft of torque. That setup is paired with the 98-kWh Standard Range Battery, good for a Ford-estimated 230 miles of range (EPA figures are still pending), on the base F-150 Lightning Pro, Lightning XLT, and Lightning Lariat trims. The optional 131-kWh Extended Range Battery is available on the XLT and Lariat, and standard on the range-topping Platinum; it ups power to 563 hp and 775 lb-ft of torque, while range jumps up to a Ford-estimated 300 miles on the XLT and Lariat, and 280 miles on the top-level F-150 Lightning Platinum.According to Ford's configurator, that 70-mile range cushion will cost F-150 Lighting XLT buyers a pretty penny. Starting at $54,669 with the standard battery, opting for the Extended Range Battery adds $19,500—roughly the cost of an entire Ford Maverick—to the F-150 Lightning XLT's base price.In other words, that means the cheapest 300-mile F-150 Lightning will set you back $74,169. That's more than the MotorTrend Truck of the Year-winning Rivian R1T, which can both go further on a charge and charge quicker than the Ford. It's worth noting that the Hummer EV Pickup beats both the Rivian and Ford in charge speed and range, though the only versions available now start in the six-figures.To be fair, Lightning buyers get more than 33 extra kWh for their extra 20 grand. Although Ford nominally lists the battery upgrade as a $10,000 option, it is bundled with Equipment Group 312A (listed as a $9,500 option, despite the fact that you can't separate it from the Extended-Range Battery). While confusing to consumers at best and intentionally misleading at worst, opting for the combined equipment and battery package does net Lightning XLT buyers quite a bit of extra features, such as 20-inch wheels, Ford's latest Co-Pilot 360 Advanced Driver Assist System, power tailgate with tailgate step and work surface, heated front seats and steering wheel, and the 9.6-kW Pro Power generator, among other things.Upcharge on F-150 Lightning Lariat RevealedIt's a similar story on the premium F-150 Lightning Lariat, though the upcharge for the Extended Range model is far less steep. Starting at $69,169, opting for either the Extended-Range Battery or Equipment Group 511A (both are bundled together) adds $10,000 to the pickup's sticker, bringing the price up to $79,169. As mentioned, there is no upcharge on the $92,569 F-150 Lightning Platinum, as the Extended-Range Battery is standard on that pricey luxury model.Regardless of the surprising premium one pays for the F-150 Lightning's larger battery, Ford expects demand to be robust. It has just announced that it'll be increasing production capacity from 80,000 units per year to 150,000 per year, based on unprecedented demand. F-150 Lightning deliveries are expected to begin this Spring.
0 Comments