The Meyers Manx 2.0 Electric is the first entirely new model from Meyers Manx in over 50 years: an all-electric dune buggy built from the ground up as a two-motor, rear-drive, open-air off-road vehicle. Starting at $74,000, it targets buyers who want the original Manx's iconic silhouette and beach-ready character, updated for an era of silent, instant-torque electric drivetrains.
A Legacy Worth Reviving
The original Meyers Manx dune buggy was created by Bruce Meyers in 1964: a fibreglass body dropped onto a shortened Volkswagen Beetle floor pan, built for Baja racing and California beach culture. It became an icon through Steve McQueen, who raced one in The Thomas Crown Affair, and through decades of off-road racing in Baja California. The brand lay dormant for years before being reacquired and relaunched with a commitment to building an all-new, all-electric interpretation.
The Manx 2.0 Electric retains nothing from the original Beetle platform. It is a clean-sheet design: a lightweight 1,500 lb (680 kg) tubular frame with two electric motors driving the rear wheels, designed specifically for off-road traction and open-air adventure.
Specs: Two Battery Options, Up to 300 Miles
Meyers Manx offers two battery configurations: a 20 kWh base pack rated for approximately 150 miles of range, and an optional 40 kWh pack that extends range to 300 miles. The 40 kWh version produces 202 hp and reaches 0 to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds: quick enough to feel genuinely exciting on sand dunes or fire roads. DC fast charging at up to 60 kW is available as an option.
As Electrek's pricing breakdown notes, the $74,000 starting price reflects the boutique production volumes and the engineering cost of building a purpose-designed electric off-road platform rather than adapting an existing vehicle. The open cockpit, minimal bodywork, and absence of a roof are features, not omissions: this is a vehicle designed to maximise the sensory experience of driving off-road.
Why Electric Makes Sense for the Manx
The original Manx was defined by lightness, simplicity, and noise. The electric version keeps the first two and eliminates the third: in the open air, on a beach or in a national park, the near-silence of an electric drivetrain transforms the experience. Birdsong, wind, and surf are no longer competing with an engine note. The instant torque of the dual motors delivers traction on loose surfaces in a way that no combustion Manx could match. According to Meyers Manx's official product page, the 2.0 is built for US National Parks and coastal environments specifically: places where noise and emissions restrictions increasingly limit what vehicles can operate.
Off-Road Electric Vehicles at TheArsenale
The Meyers Manx 2.0 fits within a growing category of electric off-road vehicles designed for adventure rather than commuting. At TheArsenale, the REBOOT Buggy by Joey Ruiter applies the same stripped-down, driver-focused logic to a radical minimalist design. The Segway Villain TheArsenale Edition brings off-road UTV performance into a purpose-designed electric package. For extreme terrain, the Sherp ATV is an amphibious all-terrain vehicle that can cross virtually any landscape. Explore the full TheArsenale car and off-road collection for more vehicles built for adventure.
Photo: Meyers Manx
