Few cars are as iconic as the Meyers Manx dune buggy. What started out as a fiberglass body on a Volkswagen Beetle chassis has worked its way into American pop culture.
Every legend needs to stay relevant, though, and the latest version of the classic dune buggy is very timely indeed.
The company unveiled a prototype electric Manx to celebrate the vehicle’s 50th anniversary. The Manx V is powered by a 62-kilowatt (83 horsepower) electric motor, giving it a top speed of 62 mph.
Meyers sees the Manx V as primarily a Neighborhood Electric Vehicle (NEV) rather than a full-blown road vehicle like the Nissan Leaf or Tesla Model S. NEVs are passenger-carrying vehicles allowed to operate on streets in designated areas, but that don’t mix with regular traffic.
To meet state-specific NEV laws, Meyers will limited production versions to 35 mph or 45 mph, depending on where they’re sold. At least drivers will look good going slowly.
Like the powertrain, the styling has also received an update. It’s still recognizable as a dune buggy, but the Manx V features a curved windshield, integrated headlights, and a seemingly-superfluous scoop ahead of the rear wheels.
The spartan interior hasn’t changed much, though, which is perhaps another reason why you’re unlikely to see any of these electric critters on public roads.
So while it might not be the most practical electric vehicle, the Manx V will probably be one of the most eye-catching when it starts cruising around resorts or Florida retirement communities.
Meyers does plan to put the Manx V into production soon, but declined to specify a launch date or pricing.
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