Meyers Manx’s Restorer NEV electric buggy for off-road adventures has a detachable roof and trailer hitch

Last year we were awed by the Manx 2.0 EV inspired by the original dune buddy created by Bruce Meyers. Now, the electric buggy has graduated to being the Restorer NEV capable of any urban adventure or hill climbs you throw at it. The chick four-wheeler has got spacious interiors for a family of four and looks to turn eyeballs.

The guts of this zero-emission urban ride are powered by a twin-electric motor drivetrain fed by pouch-cell lithium-ion batteries. This makes it capable of reaching a top speed of 25 mph to meet the NEV (Neighbourhood Electric Vehicle) standards. Restorer was revealed during the motorsports gathering at The Quail.

Designer: Meyers Manx

As per Phillip Sarofim, Chairman of Meyers Manx, the Restorer NEV is their ticket to elevate the segment by “introducing an unparalleled, well-engineered vehicle with the timeless Meyers Manx aesthetic. Our blend of premium design, craftsmanship, and a commitment to fostering exploration of one’s surroundings sets Meyers Manx apart from the competition”

The all-new Meyers Manx dune buggy gets aluminum monocoque chassis foldable windshield (just like the classic Meyers Manx buggy) and detachable roof to enjoy the open-air skirmishes. The EV is going to boast a dual electric motor setup to make it possible to haul a tow trailer, climb hills with ease or go off-road without much fuzz. It’s fitted with a four-wheel independent wishbone suspension, regenerative braking system, power steering and the option to hook it onto to a trailer courtesy of the trailer hitch. On the inside, things are kept basic with a backlit center-mounted speedometer and toggle switches to toggle the features. There are standard electric air conditioning and heating to keep things comfy for the riders.

Pricing for the Restorer electric buggy by the Californian automaker starts at $49,000, as a $500 deposit secures your unit for delivery sometime in the future. That’s far less than the $74,000 Manx 2.0 that’s more oriented towards longer travel routes with a range of 300 miles with a bigger battery pack, power output of 202 horsepower and ability to go from 0-60 mph in just 4.5 seconds. Restorer on the other hand is more tailored for short exciting rides, so don’t expect a better range!

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This modernized Ford dune buggy is equally swift on city roads

Ford is known for its robust trucks like the F-150 Raptor and they have a few upbeat concept buggy designs in the pipeline too. That makes complete sense as the future shouts out loud for compact off-roading vehicles that are good for city commutes too instead of hoarding multiple vehicles. This Ford concept off-roading buggy is in line with the future-forward vision the Michigan-based automotive giant could adopt in the coming years.

Having a well-balanced mix of racing, off-roading and city commute aesthetics – the two-seater electric vehicle has a sci-fi element to it. A balanced body frame design with a good ground clearance gives the riders assurance of taking uneven trails with confidence. The low-slung, crawling position of this Ford makes it glued to the tarmac with the smooth aerodynamic form promising optimum drag reduction for the preferred range on the battery.

Designer: Keyu Deng

Dubbed the Fordzilla Hypervan, this dune buggy derives its overall inspiration from the reptilians. The matte black color it’s draped in is a tell-tale sign of its Godzilla design influence. If you see that typical Batmobile influence, you are not alone! The occurrence of matte orange hues on the outside and inside highlight the sharp character of the ride. The battery on the rear indicates its rear-wheel-drive origins, and therefore, a better balance and handling.

The Hypervan gets all glass doors that are gull-winged, and look absolutely gorgeous. These doors are an extension of the windshield and panoramic glass roof which adds a sense of airiness to the four-wheeler. The rear of the vehicle is raised up higher than the front to get maximum downforce which is helpful in keeping it glued to the tarmac at high speeds.

Overall, this is a beach buggy concept with space for a spare tire on the rear and evokes a sense of speed and dynamism without getting too cheeky. The driver and passenger seating looks ultra-comfy which is another good feature for laid-back travel for extended driving stints.

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Meyers Manx 2.0 Electric dune buggy is high on style and low on emissions

The original beachcomber, Meyers Manx, is making a comeback as a hot electric dune buggy, and we can’t be more excited. For those who remember, the 1960s dune buggy was built on a modified VW Beetle chassis and sported a fiberglass body kit. It was perfect for desert racing in that era, but unfortunately, the company shut shop in 1971.

Founder Bruce Meyers then later bought the company back in 1999 with an electric prototype catching everyone’s attention in 2014. Just seven months before his demise, the company again traded hands as it was sold to Trousdale, a venture capital firm. Now, the eye candy buggy has been resurrected again and understandably it is called the Meyer Manx 2.0 Electric.

Designer: Meyer Manx

The cool ride has no Volkswagen connection this time around, and the design comes courtesy of Freeman Thomas, who also created the blueprint of the original version. This zero-emission buggy adapts most of its visual resemblance to the original and I can’t stop glancing over its modernized look every minute of the hour – it’s that pretty and more so, nostalgic!

This time around the four-wheeler will come fully assembled and not as a kit car. It’ll come in two battery variants– 20kWh and 40kWh capable of hurling it to 150 and 300 miles respectively. The compact shape and weight of only around 1,500 lbs – 1,650lbs make possible this impressive range on a single charge. According to makers, the 40kWh version having 202 hp is capable of going from 0-60 mph in 4.5 seconds. There are no details about the specifics of the 20kWh version, but we all can make a calculated guess, right?

Since it is a buggy, there are no doors or side windows, and even the roof can be made topless for those bright sunny beach skirmishes. The cargo area in the back be accessed by tilting the roof forward, and some more room is there under the hood.

Original Meyer Manx dune buggy

According to Meyers, only 50 units of the car will be produced next year, and deliveries are slated for early 2024. There is no word yet on the pricing of this cute little four-wheeler, but I’m sure there will be many takers for the initial slot. The bookings are going to open during the Monterey Car Week later this month, so we’ll know what the Meyers Manx 2.0 Electric is worth.

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Citroën My Ami Buggy Concept is a cute off-roading ready EV for adventure buddies




Citroën’s My Ami Buggy concept has adventure written all over it, ideal for hiking or camping trips to the deep woods with a cute friend. After all, it breaks the stereotype of big, brawny off-roaders with its friendly face!

Based on the all-electric Ami City car, the fresh new concept by Citroën gets a good installment of stylish and practical touches in the form of huge chunky off-road tires and a grille cover to mask those pretty eyes. The French brand owned by Stellantis elevates the original Ami EV to an intrepid and friendly backpacker personality with inspiration from construction games, industrial design, and the glamorous world of fashion.

The outdoor and leisure feel of My Ami is evident on the first look from the striking camouflage skin in khaki and black. Lack of the usual vehicle doors, which now instead have removable weatherproof transparent canvas doors with zippers is a tell-tale indicator of the buggy’s adventure lust. The rugged exterior having bull-bars, rock rails, auxiliary light bar, extended fenders flares, or the spare tire mounted on the roof; makes this four-wheeler capable of treading any terrain. The ground clearance though leaves a whole lot to be desired and could get the fix with aftermarket solutions.

Interiors also get the dash of off-roading styling in the form of Advanced Comfort seat cushions having almost double the padding compared to the standard Ami. There are removable storage bags and racks to stuff up the vehicle with all the essentials for an adventure trip. The dashboard has sizable storage bins to keep other stuff as well. Citroën kept in mind adding smartphone clamp, camera mount bottle holders and removable nomadic speakers keeping in mind the needs of geeky adventure lovers.

Unfortunately, there is no word whether this concept is likely to see the light of day in the future or any of the specifications to give us an idea of its performance. That said, the original Ami legal for 14-year-old (or older) drivers, goes at a tops speed of 28 mph and on a single charge goes 44 miles on its 5.5 kWh lithium-ion battery pack. It would be safe to assume Citroën will beef up the battery even more for the off-roading capability.

Designer: Citroën

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Mitsubishi shows off an oddball hybrid buggy prototype

At this year's Tokyo Motor Show, Mitsubishi is showing off its oddball hybrid buggy prototype, the MI-TECH Concept. It's meant to look like a rugged off roader with no doors or roof, and it's built with a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) drivetrain. According t...

A buggy for the urban parent

Many of us now live fast-paced, urban lifestyles, and those of us who have children will understand the restrictive nature of the buggy… it just isn’t fit to keep up with our demanding and ever-changing needs! This is where Upp2 comes into play! Upp2 may just be the perfect mobility concept for active parents and their toddlers; this extremely dynamic and flexible method of transport adapts to cater to whatever demanding need its faces.

Upp2 takes on a multitude of forms which suit a range of ages and tackle an array of environments. The stylish and dynamic buggy features a slim and agile design that makes it perfect for zipping through narrow streets, whilst providing a secure seating position for its little passenger! The harness can be lifted off from the buggy in a fluid action; this makes tackling obstacles like steps and tricky terrain an absolute breeze!

Designers: Tassilo Eissing & Daniel Farmer

Brutalist Buggy

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Rally raid races, also known as cross-country rallying, require multi-man teams to conquer the vast distances covered over up to 2 weeks. This Audi doesn’t. It’s a self-sufficient concept by Kevin Sebastien that eliminates the need for large teams. Instead, it focuses on providing a single driver with the thrill of a lifetime with everything they need to win.

Brutalist and severe on the outside, its extreme aesthetic is designed to be elevated above rough terrain, lightweight, and aerodynamic as far as SUVs go. Inside, the cockpit features a softer style designed for rider comfort and positioning that makes the driver really feel like they’re at the heart of the action. Here they can access the on-board computer system that provides assistance in tackling terrain vehicle maintenance. Most interestingly of all, should something need repair or replacing, a built-in 3D printer located at the rear can print components (even parts of the modular wheels) so the race can continue!

Designer: Kevin Sebastien

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A Dakar Dream Machine

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Designed for the Dakar Rally in the desert, this far-out dune buggy called the AARD naturally takes inspiration from an animal right at home in the sand – the thorny devil. The 4×4’s stance and structure mimic that of the lizard’s. Its unique tire/wheel system features in-wheel motors and they’re highly adapted to tackle a variety of terrain including sand, mud, grass and erg.

Designer: Jaekang Ha

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Mean Green Dune Machine

Styled after circuit cars but designed for the dunes, Mauricio Ercoli’s Monster Buggy brings show-off racing looks to the off-road. The design is a combination of a monocoque welded frame and wide wheel sections that result in a super styled machine with a highly functional panel system that makes quick field repairs possible. In the exposed cockpit, driver and passenger are brought closer to the action with a heightened sense of speed.

Designer: Mauricio Ercoli

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(Mean Green Dune Machine was originally posted on Yanko Design)

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2014 Polaris RZR XP 1000 ATV: Ridin’ Dirty

A step up from traditional ATVs, this dune buggy (aka “sport UTV”) from Polaris will let you go pretty much anywhere you please. You’ll have the benefit of almost car-like behavior in something that was meant to scale dunes in the desert.

polaris rzr xp 1000 dune buggy

The Polaris RZR XP 1000 comes with a 1000cc engine that delivers 107 hp. Its peak torque is delivered at 3500 RPM, so you’ll be speeding ahead of your buddies, no matter what they are driving. The RZR XP 1000 comes with dual-piston calipers and 248mm ventilated disc brakes on each of its wheels.

polaris rzr xp 1000 dune buggy in action

If you are looking for something with a bit more power and versatility in the off-road market, then this Polaris was meant for you. It sells for $19,999(USD).

polaris rzr xp 1000 dune buggy range

And if you want to see what the XP1000 can do when fully tricked out, check out this customized version, called the XP1K:

[via Hispotion]