The Morgan Sports Car
During the 1930's, Morgan introduced a range of Three Wheelers which, after suitable development, evolved in the Aero and Sports models. They used a modified motorcycle engine which was cooled either by air or liquid. The engine was positioned ahead of the front wheels. In 1932, the F-series of Three Wheelers was introduced, with the F4. It used a new steel chassis, a 4-cylinder Ford engine, and a four seater body. In 1950, the Morgan Plus 4 was launched. It used the larger (hence the plus) 2.1 litre Standard Vanguard engine, whilst the 4-4 used a Standard Special 1267 cc unit. In 1953, the 1991 cc Triumph TR3 engine was added to produce a higher performance model. Two and four seater convertibles and drop head coupes were available. The 4/4 Series 2 was introduced in 1955. It was a two seater sports car with a three speed gearbox. Similar in appearance to its predecessor, there were a number of changes, including use of the Morgan Plus 4 chassis.
The Morgan 4/4 Series 3 appeared in 1960. Similar to the Series 2, it used a 1 litre Ford engine and a four speed gearbox. The Series 4 appeared in 1961. It used a 1.3 litre Ford engine with a four speed gearbox. The Series 5 was launched in 1963. It used a larger 1.5 litre Ford engine and a four speed gearbox. In 1964, a version of the Morgan Plus 4, designated the Morgan Plus 4 Plus, was introduced. It was a two seater coupe with a fibre glass body, giving it both lightweight and reduced drag characteristics. However, it did not sell since the use of fibre glass instead metal broke the Morgan concept. In 1968, the Morgan 4/4 1600 was introduced. It was offered as a two and four seater convertible. In 1993, Morgan launched the 4/4 1800. It used a Ford 1796 cc, 16-valve engine developing 114 bhp. Hence, the Morgan Plus 8 was born. In 1983, the two Stromberg carburettors, which replaced SU's in 1981, were themselves replaced by a Bosch fuel injection system. In 1996, the car was offered, as an optional extra, a 4.6 litre, fuel injected engine. During the period 1950's to 1960's, almost all sports car production was exported to the US. Following a halt in exports due to US emission control regulations, from 1974 to 1992, exports to the US of Plus 8 sports cars had their engines modified, by local dealers, to run on propane gas. In this way, there was no infringement of emission regulations.
Not for nothing was it named as 2018 Parkers New Car of the Year. Like the 3-series hybrid, the 5-series is only available in electrified form as a four-door saloon. Blame the greater popularity of the sedan globally - and the complications of a raised boot floor, whose batteries can eat up precious cargo space required in a load-lugging estate. Regardless, the 530e iPerformance model shares the Three鈥檚 similar technology, with a mode for performance, efficiency or to charge up the battery so you can enter a city centre on whisper-quiet electric power. One of the most familiar car shapes in Britain is now available with hybrid power - and the price of entry starts at around 拢26,000. The Ioniq is that rare thing: a car that鈥檚 available in three different electrified forms - as a hybrid, a plug-in hybrid or a pure electric car. It鈥檚 a nice size; a little smaller than the Prius but roomy enough for daily life. The Ioniq Hybrid costs from around 拢22,000, whereas the Ioniq Plug In balloons to around 拢26,000, thanks to its bigger battery packs and 39-mile electric range.
And when that battery depletes, the petrol engine kicks in to charge it back up - providing the best of both worlds. Available in both four-door saloon and five-door estate bodystyles, the plug-in C-Class has a commendably low CO2 rating of just 49g/km for plenty of tax breaks. With a 6.2kWh lithium-ion battery pack, Merc quotes a 19-mile EV range and thereafter the four-cylinder petrol engine kicks in. On paper, it's a compelling mix - it just doesn't work quite so well on the open road, in our experience. But it shows the direction of travel at Mercedes-Benz, as it prepares to launch the full electric EQC. The big daddy of the hybrid car scene, the Prius is the original and - some would argue - the best. Look past its wilfully divisive, Marmitey styling and you鈥檙e left with an extremely clever family car. Pick from the regular (self-charging) Prius Hybrid model or the separately badged Prius Plug-In, which is a PHEV.
It鈥檚 all very Ronseal: the former doesn鈥檛 require plugging in, whereas the latter does - if you want to experience its maximum electric range around town. Toyota quotes a 235mpg fuel economy figure and just 28g/km CO2 emissions for the Plug-In. Priced from around 拢22,000, you can pick up the wagon bodystyle in the Auris Hybrid to electrify your family lugging duties. Toyota claims up to 65mpg and CO2 emissions stand at 99g/km, to duck under many of the important tax and Congestion Charge thresholds. Toyota's hybrid car knowledge, specs and experience all wrapped up in a surprisingly practical bodyshell. The Auris will soon be relaunched in spring 2019 as the Corolla - and a petrol-electric version has already been confirmed. Volvo offers most of its big cars with Twin Engine hybrid spec, and one of our favourite is the big V90 estate. This is a good-looking car - and quick to boot, with a combined power output of 400bhp from the petrol and electric motors.