Meyers Manx reborn as all-electric dune buggy

The original dune buggy will be relaunched for the electric age, with images of the battery-powered Meyers Manx 2.0 previewed ahead of its launch on August 19.

All-new from the ground up, the 2023 Meyers Manx 2.0 has been designed by Freeman Thomas, the same man who penned the first ‘new’ Volkswagen Beetle concept back in 1994 and then went on to create the first-gen Audi TT.

Said to capture the original’s feel and heritage, the Meyers reboot is claimed to blend retro and modern styling while incorporating the latest technology.

Full specifications will be divulged next week, but initially the Meyers Manx 2.0 will be offered with either a 20kWh or larger 40kWh battery.

With the smaller of the two power packs the Manx 2.0 can cover up to 240km on a full charge, while the bigger battery sees the dune buggy’s range increase to around 500km.

Both versions come with two electric motors that power each rear wheel, with the most powerful (40kWh) model producing 150kW and 325Nm of torque.

The revived US car-maker claims that is enough to hurtle its beach-loving roadster from 0-60mph (0-97km/h) in just 4.5 seconds.

As standard, there’s a 6kW onboard charger, while fast DC charging is capped at 60kW.

Beneath the skin, the Manx is based on a weight-saving all-aluminium monocoque that incorporates an independent rear suspension and all-wheel disc brakes with ABS.

Other new tech lacking on the original includes power steering, windscreen wipers and an electric park brake.

Thanks to a cabin that lacks creature comforts like doors, the lightest 20kWh model tips the scales at just 680kg. Even the model with the 40kWh battery weighs a little under 750kg.

Although going on sale following its August 19 launch, the first batch of 50 cars won’t be delivered until 2023. The first batch will be part of the brand’s beta program, with the full production version set to be introduced in 2024.

Pricing for the Meyers Manx 2.0 is expected to be announced at its public debut next week at The Quail A Motorsports Gathering in Carmel, California.

Images: Evan Klein courtesy of Meyers Manx