HERE’S a Mokka serving mochas.
We borrowed Vauxhall’s in-car coffee bar to fuel walkers attempting Yorkshire’s Three Peaks.
But first I need to explain a few things.
The headline. Starbuicks. It’s the best I could do. The old Vauxhall Mokka is badged as a Buick Encore in the US of A.
The old Vauxhall Insignia is a Buick Regal.
So there.
Second, why Yorkshire when everyone knows a Yorkshireman prefers tea?
Good point. Didn’t think of that until one hiker reminded me.
At least the coffee was made in Sheffield.
The truth is, I completed the Three Peaks challenge with my daughter back in February and, aside from the stunning views — and the pain — I remember there was no decent coffee to be had.
So we thought we’d address that and treat walkers to coffee and cake where the 24-mile route meets the famous Ribblehead Viaduct on the Settle-Carlisle railway.
It went down well.
One hiker from Cambridge asked: “Is it free? What’s the catch? We don’t see many acts of kindness, so this is a nice surprise.”
You’re up north now, love. We’re friendly up here.
Another chap from Maidstone, Kent, joked: “Do all Vauxhall Mokkas come with that in it? I’d get one if they did. That’s class.”
Another walker from St Albans, Herts, ordered a cappuccino and said: “I had some tea from a Thermos flask earlier and it was well brewed. This is far more exciting. Thank you.”
Congratulations to the big group from Brighton who were raising money for library books for a primary school. Heroes.
Now here’s a question: Why is mocha called mocha?
My barista friend Adam tells me mocha is named after the Yemeni port of Mokha, where they exported coffee beans with a distinct chocolatey flavour. That inspired the chocolate coffee mixture we have today.
So why is a Mokka called Mokka?
Er, after the coffee bean, apparently, which is “small but punchy”.
You don’t need me to tell you what a Mokka is. There’s enough of them on the road.
But unlike a Ford Puma or a Nissan Juke, Mokka comes in two flavours — petrol or electric.
Both are simple to drive and have a cheeky sense of fun.
The 136hp Mokka Griffin petrol is £22,755. The 1.2-litre turbo can do 51mpg. While the 136hp Mokka Griffin Electric is £29,495. The 50kWh battery has a 209-mile range.
Or you can upgrade for a bigger battery that does 252 miles.
If you want a barista-style coffee bar in the back, with all the kit and a separate battery to run it, you are looking at another £4k.
Or just stop at Starbucks on the way home.
Price: £29,495
Battery: 50kWh
Power: 136hp
0-62mph: 9.2 secs
Top speed: 93mph
Range: 209 miles
CO2: 0g/km
Out: Now