BYD Plug-In Hybrid and Exotic Morgan Plus Six Headline New Car Imports in Israel
Ministry of Transport filings reveal upcoming car models heading to Israel, including the country's cheapest plug-in hybrid, a Kia electric vehicle, and the exotic Morgan Plus Six sports car.
As the end of the year approaches, several new car models are slated to arrive in Israel, ranging from the country's most affordable plug-in hybrid to an exotic, hand-built British sports car, according to Ministry of Transport filings outlining the vehicles importers will soon introduce.
The first vehicle appearing in the Ministry of Transport records is set to be Israel's cheapest plug-in hybrid: the BYD Dolphin G. In practice, the Israeli supermini market is currently divided into three powertrain categories: full electric, hybrid, and pure gasoline. Plug-in hybrid models have been absent. According to BYD, the Dolphin G measures 4.16 meters in length (compared to 3.94 meters for the Toyota Yaris). Propulsion is handled by a 1.5-liter gasoline engine alongside an electric motor. BYD offers the Dolphin G in two powertrain variants: one equipped with a 7.4 kWh LFP battery and the second with an 18.3 kWh battery. According to Ministry of Transport filings, the base powertrain model is priced at 135,000 shekels, while the higher-end model is declared at 145,000 shekels. Final consumer prices will be determined upon launch.
Alongside the Dolphin G, the Ministry of Transport records feature another electric model from Kia: the PV5. The PV5 is a relatively veteran player in the electric vehicle world, having been introduced last year. The PV5 is based on Kia's dedicated platform developed for commercial vehicles, although passenger versions are also available. The PV5 is equipped with an electric motor producing 160 horsepower and a 71.1 kWh battery. The maximum driving range according to the manufacturer is approximately 400 kilometers. According to Ministry of Transport records, the declared price for the PV5 in Israel is 210,000 shekels, subject to change at launch.
In addition to mass-market vehicles, the Ministry of Transport filings also include a registration for a particularly exotic car: the Morgan Plus Six. This is the second Morgan to arrive in Israel this year, although the first model, the Morgan Supersport, is considered more modern. Britain's Morgan deliberately manufactures its cars based on relatively vintage technology. Founded in 1910, Morgan is one of the world's oldest automakers, producing sports cars using techniques that have remained largely unchanged over the decades. Modern engines are acquired primarily from Germany's BMW, while chassis and suspension techniques rely on decades of accumulated expertise.
In the case of the recently imported Plus Six—a name indicating a six-cylinder engine—the exterior design does not differ significantly from 1960s and 1970s Morgan models. However, the engine is entirely modern: a twin-turbocharged BMW engine producing 335 horsepower from a 3-liter displacement. The engine is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, enabling the vintage-looking car to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.2 seconds. The Morgan cabin lacks modern luxuries and is styled after 1950s and 1960s models, featuring only basic speed, RPM, and primary function gauges, though a modern LCD display is concealed within the instrument cluster. Furthermore, the Plus Six is unusually equipped with electronic traction control. The price declared to the Ministry of Transport is 1.29 million shekels.
As a side note, the title of "Israel's most expensive car" is currently held by three vehicles, each declared at five million shekels in Ministry of Transport records. The first is the Lamborghini Revuelto imported this year, followed by two Mercedes G 63 AMG SUVs, another Lamborghini Revuelto, and armored Audi vehicles ordered by the State of Israel for the President, Prime Minister, and other senior officials.
