The new Meyers Manx 2.0 Electric is cool as hell

Originally created in 1964 by Bruce Meyers, the Volkswagen-based Meyers Manx dune buggy is one of the most iconic vehicles to grace this earth. Over the years there have been many official iterations by the Meyers Manx company, which produced the buggy until 1971 and was restored in 2000, as well as countless replicas and kit cars. In 2020, the brand was bought by venture capitalist Philip Sarofim, and the revamped company on Monday unveiled its first brand new creation: The Meyers Manx 2.0 Electric.

The Manx 2.0 is the first truly new vehicle from Meyers Manx in almost 60 years, and as you can probably tell from the name, it’s all-electric. Crucially, the new buggy is obviously still a Manx, but there are some styling updates courtesy of Freeman Thomas, who designed cars like the original Audi TT, Panoz Roadster and Volkswagen New Beetle. There’s a new front-end intake that mimics the shape of the brush guard, and the body’s flared fenders have been subtly reworked. The lower shape of the Manx tub hides the battery and other new components really well. The biggest changes are at the rear, with the Manx 2.0 getting new oval LED taillights and a solid bumper instead of the Manx’s normal exposed engine. There’s a very new hardtop, and the interior has a simple dashboard with a large retro-style round speedometer and great lighting.

Each version of the Manx 2.0 uses a pair of rear-mounted electric motors, each driving one of the rear wheels, with the brakes, gearbox, inverter and motor housed in one unit. The buggy has independent rear suspension, disc brakes at all four corners with regenerative braking for the rear brakes, electric power steering and an electric emergency brake. A 20-kilowatt-hour battery pack providing a range of 150 miles is the base setup, while an optional 40-kWh battery offers a range of 300 miles. Meyers Manx hasn’t given performance specs for the base model, but the 40-kWh Manx has 202 horsepower and 240 pound-feet of torque and will hit 60 mph in about 4.5 seconds. DC fast charging of up to 60kW will be optional, and the Manx comes standard with a 6kW on-board charger.

Meyers Manx says the first 50 units of the Manx 2.0 will be delivered to customers in 2023 as part of the Meyers Manx Beta program, with owners helping to provide feedback on the cars to the development team. Full production will begin in 2024, with the company partnering with an undisclosed US manufacturer to build the Manx 2.0 in California. Pricing has yet to be announced, but interested customers can apply for pre-orders after the car makes its full debut on August 19 during Monterey Auto Week. Oh, and in case you’re nervous about a famous brand like this being snapped up and overhauled by an entrepreneur, don’t be. Sarofim owns one of the most beautiful car collections, including the Lancia Stratos Zero, the Isdera Commendatore 112i and the recently restored Aston Martin Bulldog.