The best off-roader of all time is back – and it’s not even a 4X4

Much like running into your old high school teacher on a night out, a blast from the past can often be a welcome reminder of good times. That is exactly what the recently reborn Meyers Manx 2.0 is. A blast from the past but with a modern twist, and we bloody love it. 

I’m going out on a limb here; this could be the ultimate beach rig. Fraser Island, Stockton Beach, Moreton Island or even Double Island Point. It doesn’t matter, this little buggy would be my weapon of choice purely based on nostalgic character alone. 

“This could be the ultimate beach rig”

In the mid 1960’s, Bruce Meyers a passionate surfer and boat builder designed the original Manx dune buggy. In 2022, it’s back, but with a refreshed flavour. A modern tickle, and a cult following that will make it a force to be reckoned with. The Meyers Manx 2.0 is the new fully electric dune buggy that will make even the most burly bloke giggle like a schoolgirl.

The original was a little crude, there’s no beating around the bush. Made of modified VW Beetle parts and fibreglass bits, the Manx 2.0 has all those flaws rectified. Using an aluminium monocoque body with features like regenerative braking, electric power steering, LED lighting, modernised instrument cluster and disc brakes on all four corners, it’s obvious that the Meyers Manx team have built this to throw punches with even the most fun and quirky vehicles in today’s market. 

“Pop that in your pipe and smoke it diesel lovers, the Manx is a wild boar at heart”

Now for the stuff that get’s me hot and bothered, the power specs. Whilst this EV dune buggy won’t thong slap it’s way up a sand dune or shoot flames out the exhaust, it will be quick, seriously quick. With an estimated 200+hp and over 320Nm of torque, it won’t be a slouch, especially weighing in at around 700kgs. Would you like some perspective? Here it is anyways, that’s roughly the same as a 79 Series Landcruiser having 800hp and 1,300Nm of torque. So yep, pop that in your pipe and smoke it diesel lovers, the Manx is a wild boar at heart. 

With a bank of Lithium batteries allowing a range of 240-480kms depending on the spec you choose, this could truly be the ultimate weekend beach rig. Clean, green, fun and paying homage to its predecessor in the coolest possible way. The Meyers Manx 2.0 EV is something that will be on my radar for the future.