By Nathan Adlen – March 17, 2019
Nathan and The Fast Lane Car team are here to answer your (reasonable) questions. Interesting and/or entertaining emails will be posted to this column. If it’s relevant in the automotive universe, there’s a chance we may know something about it. The author’s email address and name will be omitted – leaving your initials or nickname, your preference.
- Future EV Doom?
- Restoring a 1988 Toyota Corolla FX?
- What is the Moke America eMoke?
The first question comes from Twitter (@Nathanadlen) asking about future EV doom – or, will EVs end fun for us?
Q: (Via Twitter@NathanAdlen) Hi Nathan. I ask about future EV doom. Will the autonomy kill fun?
I’m Anthony from Poland and love your fun shows. I like cars and driving fun. I saw some cars that make me nervous at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show. I’m sending a photo.
A: Hi Anthony!
Yes, the vehicle you sent me was the Citroën AMI One concept. It is a low-range, two passenger vehicle that’s built to represent a (possible) affordable EV that nearly anybody can drive. It’s slow and basic in its utilitarian design, something that people who simply need transportation could use.
This vehicle’s top speed is about 28 mph and it has a maximum range of 62-miles. In many places, it may be able to be driven without a driver’s license. Cars like this are rather popular in China.
No, I honestly do not believe that cars like this represent future EV doom. In fact, the more people who drive EVs, allow driving enthusiasts to still drive fun cars. There are a lot of people who are not into having fun while they are transported. For those people, simple transportation and automation are completely satisfactory.
I promise, fun cars will continue to be built for some time.
Cheers!
N
The next question comes from a teen who wants to restore his dad’s 1988 Toyota Corolla FX.
Q: Hi! I was thinking about restoring my dad’s Toyota Corolla FX16.
It just sits and gathers dirt. I kind of want a project but my dad says it’s a waste of time because its interior is all eaten up by rodents. It starts and runs and shifts pretty good and I want to know if its a good project idea.
Thanks Nathan!
A: Wow, what a great little car!
Cars like the Toyota Corolla FX16 inspired me to like hot hatchbacks when I was in high school. Nowadays, they are kind of rare and, provided you have the time and money, could make an excellent restoration project.
If the interior was attacked by rodents, you need to be very careful when cleaning it out. The best bet is a respirator, full body protection and goggles as you rip out the old interior. You don’t want to touch any of that contamination.
There are some great restoration videos out there. Check a few out before you get started and go on to a few Toyota fan boards to get information about replacement interiors.
Hope that helps!
N
The last question comes from a fan who wants to know what it takes to cool off from unavoidable road rage.
(Via Twitter @NathanAdlen) What is this EV Moke I’ve seen? Is it road legal?
It looks like the original Mini Moke, but bigger. I can’t believe it’s street legal in the U.S.
A: Hi!
Yes, the Moke America builds the eMoke. While it is a front-wheel drive vehicle that looks like the original Mini Moke (which was an open-top utility vehicle based on the original Mini) – it’s not. This is a new ride.
The eMoke can be purchased as an all-electric city vehicle which is considered street legal as a “low speed vehicle.” That means it has a maximum speed of 25 mph. It’s not permitted to go on to the highway.
The one I photographed above was on the street in Santa Monica, California.
You can read about the other vehicle we just drove in Santa Monica here.
As a local transport, maybe as a vehicle to drive around a small town or a resort, it could be ideal. The Moke America has a three-phase, AC, Asynchronous 7.5 Kw motor with a maximum 15 Kw output. Max range is (according to Moke America) 40 miles.
Moke America says they have either a 12 kWh gel or lithium battery that takes 6-8 hours to fully charge on 110 – no mention of fast charging or 220. No mention of regenerative braking, solar enhancements, longer ranges or future product.
Prices start at $17,995.
I would be interested in testing a vehicle like this as city-centers and resorts could benefit from something like this. Plus, it’s kind-of funky, which is always a plus.
By the way, they do build a gas version too. Check it out (here).
N
Check out something that’s the complete OPPOSITE of the eMoke!
Nathan and The Fast Lane Car team are here to answer your (reasonable) questions. Interesting and/or entertaining emails will be posted to this column. If it’s relevant in the automotive universe, there’s a chance we may know something about it. The author’s email address and name will be omitted – leaving your initials or nickname, your preference.From day one, The Fast Lane Car has made it our policy to answer as many questions and comments as we can. We get thousands of emails and comments and feel that, as part of a tight-knit automotive community, having an open dialogue with you keeps things fresh and exciting.Got a question for Nathan? Drop him a line at: asknathan@tflcar.com.[Ask Nathan]
