Meyers Manx created the iconic dune buggy drifting through the beaches in the 1960s, and the 2.0 Electric seems to follow many of the same principles.
The VW Beetle-based vehicle was the brainchild of the late Bruce Meyers. Although Bruce is not part of the company anymore, CEO Freeman Thomas has managed to carry the retro essence of the predecessor while incorporating a cutting-edge electric powertrain. Moreover, the Meyers Manx Electric 2.0 is built on an aluminum monocoque, helping to reduce the overall weight drastically.
Meyers Manx will offer two battery packs — 20 kWh or 40 kWh. These capacities seem more than satisfactory for a vehicle weighing between 1,500-1,650 pounds. The company promises a solid 150-mile range on the smaller battery and an excellent 300-mile range with the larger pack.
Furthermore, Meyers Manx packaged the motor, brakes, gear train, and inverter in a single unit, aiming to further reduce the weight and space requirements. The company only provided information on the more powerful 40-kWh version, which would pack a twin-motor configuration with 202 hp and 240 lb-ft of torque. As a result, the Electric 2.0 can hit 60 mph in just 4.5 seconds, but crucially, the system controls each wheel to provide excellent traction on slippery surfaces, such as sand. Accompanied by high clearance and very low overhangs, the Meyers Manx Electric 2.0 should be an off-road beast.
Potential buyers may have to wait until the official pricing is out, though the company accepts pre-orders later this month. But for willing and selected few customers, about 50 cars are available under the Meyers Manx Beta program.
Although the initial buggy was a huge success, the company’s journey was always bumpy. Meyers Manx stopped production in 1971, only to resume after nearly three decades in 2000. After that, the company went through an ownership change, the new proprietorship coming under the venture capitalist Phillip Sarofim. But it was all for good, bringing us the state-of-the-art Manx Electric 2.0!
