The Morgan Motor Company has confirmed it is working on an all-new three-wheeled vehicle to replace the outgoing Morgan 3 Wheeler. An early glimpse of the model shows a heavily disguised engineering prototype undergoing durability testing.

Having previously stated “The Morgan 3 Wheeler will return”, this announcement of a new model officially marks the beginning of the next chapter in the story of Morgan’s three-wheeled vehicles.

Motorists are handing over their old polluting cars to be crushed for scrap in exchange for £3,000 worth of alternative travel arrangements in what is the first scheme of its kind in the UK. The pioneering offer has already been taken up by six environmentally-conscious car owners – with dozens more lining up to join.

The pilot initiative has been set up by Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) in Coventry where drivers of ageing, high emission vehicles have been quick to take up the offer. In exchange for scrapping their car, owners are given £3,000 worth of mobility credits to cover the cost of alternative transport including buses, trains, taxis and car hire over two years.

TfWM, which is part of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), believes the incentive will help persuade owners of heavily polluting cars to use more environmentally friendly transport, helping to reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality. One of the first to wave goodbye to their car was mechanical engineer Mohammed Fasiuddin, from Foleshill. His 2006 grey Citreon C1, which he used for his daily commute to his office 16 miles away in Hinckley, has now been reduced to a (insert dimension) cube of crushed steel.

He said: “I was a little sad to see the car go, but I haven’t been using it as much as I used to before Covid. I’m working from home more now so the offer came at the right time for me to get rid of it. It is a good deal with £3,000 to use for public transport, or a taxi or uber or a hire car – I have a bus stop two minutes away which is very convenient. And I no longer need to worry about the car breaking down or failing the MOT and a huge repair bill at the garage.”

Following lockdown Mohammed plans to work more from home and use public transport for his part-time commute rather than the car he had owned for the last four years. His car was collected by scrappage and recycling firm Car Take Back who took it to the Mainline Salvage car recycling facility at Wolverhampton for crushing. 95% of the car will be recycled.

TfWM teamed up with Coventry City Council to work on the scheme and it has so far attracted about twenty volunteers who are going through the process to ditch their cars in exchange for the pre-paid transport only debit-card. The £3,000 offered covers costs of alternative transport over two years and is being targeted at those who are looking to change the way they commute and want to reduce the costs of running and maintaining an older car.

For most households running a car is the biggest expense after the rent or mortgage payments. With £1 million funding being provided through the region’s Future Transport Zone initiative, there is capacity to take 250 high-polluting vehicles off our streets over the next two years.

The Mayor of the West Midlands, Andy Street, said: “The West Midlands is facing a climate emergency, and tackling that means reducing air pollution and finding ways to encourage people to cut out unnecessary private car journeys in favour of public transport or active travel such as cycling and walking.

“Our innovative mobility credits scheme helps do exactly that, and I would like to thank the volunteers like Mohammed and his family who are making this bold step to change their travel habits and setting an example for others as to how everyone can do their bit to help the West Midlands reach it’s #WM2041 target of carbon neutrality by 2041.

“At the same time as record investment in buses, rail, trams, and new safe cycle routes and a cycle hire scheme, we are also looking at creative solutions to our transport issues including the trials of e-scooters and demand responsive bus services currently underway in Coventry.

“Drivers will only leave their cars if suitable alternatives are available, and that’s why we are investing billions in public transport and active travel, as well as trialling these new innovative schemes.” The Mobility Credits scheme is currently open to people in Coventry who own a car more than ten years old.

Councillor Jim O’Boyle, cabinet member for jobs and regeneration at Coventry City Council, said: “Coventry is in the vanguard of new technology and environmentally friendly travel We’ve got the most electric vehicle charging points per head of population anywhere in the country outside London, our buses are going electric and we are trialling an interesting tram system called very light rail.

“Environmentally friendly travel is the way forward and this is a great opportunity for people to give up their older polluting petrol and diesel cars and try it for themselves. It’s a great way to show people there are alternatives to the private motor car.”

The trial is funded from the £22 million Future Mobility Zone grant given to the region by the Department for Transport to develop and test new transport technology and schemes.

Further trials are currently taking place via a Future Transport Showcase at the University of Warwick.

While on its way to its American debut at ‘The Quail: a Motorsports Gathering’ in California, the Rimac Nevera made a quick stop at the drag strip at Famoso Raceway. Back in June it set the unofficial world record for the fastest accelerating production car but now, with Famoso Raceway officials, and experts from DragTimes, it was time to do it again.

Formula 1 legend Lewis Hamilton said he was "happy to be alive" after recovering from coronavirus to finish the season with a third place. The world champion missed the penultimate race in Bahrain a week ago after contracting Covid-19 but recovered in time to race in Abu Dhabi. He said after the race: "I am destroyed. I do not feel good.

"But I'm happy and grateful I am alive. I live to fight another day and I still managed to finish with a podium."

Following his comeback, Silverstone owners the British Racing Drivers' Club have named the track's pit straight after the Hertfordshire-born driver in honour of his achievements this year.

The 35-year-old Mercedes driver, who tested positive for Covid-19 a day after winning the Bahrain Grand Prix last month, was forced to skip the Sakhir GP at the same track a week later, and spent 10 days in isolation before a negative test freed him to travel to Abu Dhabi.

He became the most successful Formula 1 driver in history after clinching his seventh world title and breaking the record for most wins.

On his recent absence Hamilton said: "Covid is no joke. I never thought it was. I knew at some stage if I got it it would be tough because there are people out there losing their lives. So I knew it was serious.

"I always find it very strange to see world leaders laughing it off like it is nothing. To be able to come back here this weekend, I knew I wouldn't physically be where I have been the rest of the season but I made it. Where there is a will, there is a way."

The season was initially suspended in March and F1 set up a system of protocols that has kept people apart as much as possible to start it up again. And the drivers have had to isolate themselves as much as possible in order to minimise the risks of catching the virus and derailing their seasons.

On naming Silverstone’s pit straight after Hamilton, BRDC president David Coulthard said he was "delighted to share the news with Lewis" at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

It is the first time part of the track has been named after any individual.

"Lewis has become a huge part of the circuit's history and the directors of the club and I felt there was no better way to mark this than to rename the iconic pits straight in recognition of his record-breaking achievements."

The Mercedes driver has won a record seven British Grands Prix and has celebrated six of them on the podium that overlooks the new Hamilton Straight.

Morgan unveils the Plus Four CX-T, a car with adventure at its core. A vehicle with capability not yet witnessed on a Morgan sports car, it opens up the possibility of routes, landscapes and destinations inaccessible by Morgan cars until now.

The Morgan Plus Four CX-T is inspired by Morgan’s well documented history of competing in all-terrain endurance trials. As early as 1911, Morgan sports cars were competing and winning in trials competitions, and this spirit of adventure has been key to shaping the Morgan brand ever since. The more adventurous journeys that are frequently undertaken by Morgan customers all over the world have further fuelled the desire for Morgan to imagine the Plus Four CX-T.

MOT exemptions which kept motorists moving during the coronavirus pandemic have been lifted from Saturday (1 August 2020). The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) is encouraging motorists whose MOT is due this autumn to get their test done as soon as possible to ensure their vehicle is safe to drive.

Getting a test done early may also help motorists beat the rush and avoid a busy period for garages.

Chris Price, head of MOT policy at DVSA, said: “MOT exemptions were issued to allow people to continue to use their vehicles for essential travel during the pandemic.

“The MOT is an important test to ensure a vehicle remains safe and roadworthy. We know that garages are likely to be very busy this autumn with double* the usual demand. We are encouraging motorists to consider bringing their MOT forward to help beat the rush.”

Vehicles due an MOT on or after 30 March were issued with a 6-month exemption.

As a result, DVSA is predicting that September, October and November are likely to be very busy months for garages, as motorists who were granted an exemption – and those whose tests would usually be due – both look to book their MOT.

Motorists who want to keep their MOT date can book a test up to a month (minus a day) before it’s due and still retain their original date. DVSA is encouraging customers to consider whether they could bring their MOT forward in this way to help manage demand.

Mike Hawes, chief executive of the Society for Motor Manufacturers and Traders, said: “Garages are ready to ensure millions of vehicles on UK roads remain safe and provide peace of mind to owners. Although the six-month MOT extension provision ends on August 1, deferred tests have created increased demand this autumn so owners are strongly encouraged to get their vehicle’s test done as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

“Motorists can be reassured that the sector has full COVID safety measures in place and many workshops are on hand to collect and deliver vehicles for vulnerable customers.”

Motorists are reminded that they can sign up for free MOT reminders at GOV.UK and can also access the free MOT history check service.