The VW Group famously spends more money on research and development than any rival – and as a result, perhaps it should be no surprise that our testers rate its cars so consistently highly.

The fact that many of those cars use the same underpinnings also helps, because it means that if they get it right once, they have the foundations to keep on getting it right.

However, the Volkswagen brand faces plenty of tough competition, often from within, because the rapidly rising Seat and Skoda brands that are also part of the group have access to the same technology.

Volkswagen

uk-government-to-ban-non-electric-cars

Every new car sold in the UK must be capable of travelling at least 50 miles on electric power alone by 2040.That's what the UK Government is set to announce imminently as part of an ambitous plan called 'Road to Zero', which is aimed at boosting the uptake of hybrid and electric cars, as well as cutting emissions.The plan follows last year's announcement that new non-electrified vehicles would be <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/petrol-diesel-uk-car-ban-2040/n15810">banned from sale in this country by 2040</a>. It's worth remembering that a group of MPs has already said that deadline isn't strict enough, suggesting that <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/petrol-and-diesel-car-ban-could-be-brought-forward-to-2030/n16736">2030 is a more realistic target</a>.When the ban was announced, it was thought that hybrid and mild hybrid vehicles – those with small electric motors that either give the engine a boost of power when needed or can travel for very short distances on electric power alone – would be exempt from the ban, along with plug-in hybrids and full electric vehicles (EVs). However, this no longer looks to be the case.

It means that some of the UK's most popular hybrid cars – including the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/toyota/prius/hatchback/review/n17175">Toyota Prius</a> – would not be allowed under the ban. The move will also require a significant boost in the current ranges offered by plug-in hybrid cars, since most today can only travel for around 30 miles on electric power.In fact, our sister title Autocar estimates that around 99% of current cars on sale will be outlawed. It reports that car manufacturers are unhappy about the decision, specifically in relation to the Government not laying out extra incentives designed to both boost the advancement of EV technology and encourage more drivers to choose EVs.Mike Hawes, chief executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, has said that the car industry "cannot dictate the pace of change, nor levels of consumer demand. Unrealistic targets and misleading messaging on bans will only undermine our efforts to realise this future."Hawes said the Government's plan could end up "confusing consumers and wreaking havoc on the new car market".

Part of the problem is that electrified cars currently account for a very small percentage of new cars being sold. In the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/most-popular-cars/n14756">first four months of this year</a>, just over 46,000 of such vehicles were sold, yet they accounted for just 5.2% of total car sales so far in 2018. To put that into context, Ford has sold more than 40,000 <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/fiesta/hatchback/review/n106">Fiesta hatchbacks</a> in the same period.In a statement sent to Autocar, a spokesman from the Department for Transport said: “We do not comment on leaked draft documents. The Road to Zero strategy is yet to be finalised and has not been agreed by ministers.“It is categorically untrue that Government is planning to ban the sale of hybrid [and plug-in hybrid] cars in the UK by 2040.”If you're starting to think about a new car, perhaps now is the time to go electric. Buying a hybrid could be the perfect stepping stone to a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/category/electric">fully electric car</a>, so below we've rounded up the very best hybrid cars on sale today.For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? Newsletter <a href="https://pages.haymarket.com/whatcar/wcar-form.html">here</a><hr /><h3><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/best-and-worst-electric-cars-2019-plus-video/n17000">Read more: the best electric cars on sale today &gt;</a></h3><h3><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/what-car-real-range-which-electric-car-can-go-farthest-in-the-real-world/n18159">Read more: which electric car can go farthest in the real world?</a></h3>

VOLKSWAGEN

UK Government to ban non-electric cars

Audi is a brand that sets the standard for interior quality, and this, combined with its vast and ever-growing model line-up, has helped it become one of the ‘big three’ German prestige car makers, along with BMW and Mercedes-Benz.

The A3 hatchback, A4 executive saloon and Q7 SUV are all common - yet upmarket - sights on UK roads.

At least some of Audi's success over the past 30 years can be attributed to the growth in sales of vehicles with four-wheel drive; the company arguably led the way in bringing 4x4 technology into the mainstream, with its Quattro coupé in the early 1980s.

Today, most Audis are available with at least the option of four-wheel drive, while the list of SUVs from the brand includes the Q2, Q3, Q5 and Q7.

Audi

new-emissions-tests-could-mean-bigger-discounts-for-car-buyers

Cars makers could be forced to scrap, pre-register or heavily discount thousands of new cars due to a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/buying/what-are-wltp-and-rde-new-fuel-tests-explained/n1223">new emissions test</a> which will be introduced on 1 September.The new Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP) is designed to provide car buyers with more accurate information about <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/truempg/mpg-calculator">the real-world mpg their vehicles can achieve</a>. However, while most European governments have agreed to offer a grace period, during which manufacturers can continue to sell a set percentage of cars that don't meet the latest standards, no exemptions have yet been agreed in the UK.The downside for those who've ordered a new car that's built outside of Europe and requires a long transit time is that they may see their delivery date pushed back to September or later, as manufacturers seek to reduce the risk of cars arriving late and needing to be scrapped.Indeed, some What Car? readers have already reported this, with salesman specifically pinning the blame on the need to ensure non-compliant cars don't arrive after 1 September.<ul><li> <h3><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/buying/what-are-wltp-and-rde-new-fuel-tests-explained/n1223">What are WLTP and RDE? New fuel tests explained &gt;</a></h3> </li></ul>The situation is potentially good news for bargain hunters, though, because many manufacturers currently build more cars than they can sell, and may need to offer extra incentives or <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/should-i-buy-a-pre-registered-car/n13379">pre-register more cars than usual</a> to clear their stockpiles before the 1 September deadline.Perhaps in an effort to avoid this, Audi recently suspended sales of <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/new-range-rover-velar-vs-audi-sq5-vs-porsche-macan/n16375">its high performance SQ5 SUV</a>; it claims this is due to a full build slot run, but sources have suggested to <a href="https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/audi-sq5-sales-suspended-amid-wltp-changes">our sister title Autocar</a> that the new emissions limits are to blame.Buyers wanting a new SQ5 can currently only purchase one that’s already in stock, with no date set for when new specification models can be ordered. <hr /> Got a motoring question? Our experts are standing by to help, just tweet us your question using <a href="https://twitter.com/whatcar">#askwhatcar</a>For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? newsletter <a href="https://pages.haymarket.com/whatcar/wcar-form.html">here</a>

AUDI

New emissions tests could mean bigger discounts for car buyers

Peugeot has its strongest model line-up for some years, with some of its cars now rated by our testers as being among the very best available.

Highlights focus around the firm’s newest SUVs, the 3008 and 5008. The 5008 was named Large SUV of the Year at the 2018 What Car? Awards, thanks to its appealing blend of space, interior quality and low running costs.

That bodes well for future launches, too, because many of the learnings from these cars will be passed on as new versions of existing cars are launched – something that could take many years, because the Peugeot range is so big, ranging from an entry-level supermini with the 108 to an executive saloon with the 508, up into the SUV range and also vans.

Buyers should evaluate some of the lower-rated cars in the range more carefully, though. Some are now quite old, and are subsequently left behind in terms of quality when compared with the opposition, making them below-average buys, in our estimation.

Peugeot

5008

motorists-could-save-pound35-on-insurance-from-whiplash-crackdown

New legislation to impose a limit on the size of whiplash claims and crack down on fraudulent claimants has been announced.The Civil Liability Bill will make it illegal to make a whiplash claim without medical evidence and will restrict the maximum amount per claim to £425. These moves are expected to save the insurance industry £1 billion, which equates to a saving of £35 for each UK motorist. Insurance companies have been calling for changes to the law for some time. Some insurers, including Aviva and LV, have already pledged to pass 100% of the savings on to motorists. The Ministry for Justice, which is leading the crackdown on whiplash claims, says that despite the UK having some of the safest roads in Europe, the number of whiplash claims has risen by 50% in the past 10 years. The Government body is blaming the rise on a "predatory" industry that encourages motorists to submit minor, exaggerated or fraudulent claims, saying that the cost of settling such claims has driven up insurance premiums for everyone.<h3>What are the proposals?</h3>The proposed legislation will cap the amount you can claim for a minor whiplash injury - doing so would reduce the average whiplash pay-out from £1850 to a maximum amount of £425. You'll also need a medical report as a proof of injury - and that will only be obtainable from a MedCo doctor rather than from your GP. MedCo doctors are independent experts in assessing whiplash claims. This would also bring an end to offers from companies to settle claims without medical evidence.Alongside these changes, the current limit for personal injury claims in the small claims court will also be raised from £1000 to £5000, thus reducing legal costs. A tariff system for compensation will also be introduced for more significant injuries.Announcing the proposals, Justice secretary David Gauke said: "This important legislation will ensuring that whiplash claims are no longer an easy payday. The bill will seek to set fixed amounts of compensation for whiplash claims and halt the practice of settling claims without medical evidence."Former Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne first proposed a crackdown on whiplash claims in his 2015 autumn statement.

<h3>What is whiplash?</h3>Whiplash is a neck injury caused by a suddent movement of the head - such as the type experienced during a car crash. The muscles in the neck become stretched or sprained, and the injury is often characterised by neck pain, stiffness and headaches. The condition will often get better on its own within a few weeks - but during that time some people find it can limit their movement, and therfore have to be signed off from work.Because whiplash is hard to diagnose - and its symptoms and causes are so widely known - some people are able to submit fraudulent claims.Speaking to What Car?, ABI spokesman Malcolm Tarling said: "If you're a person who wants to get money from the system, this would be your best way of doing so."We want to make it harder for people who are playing the system - at the moment it's [the public] who are paying for it."<h3>When will I start to save money?</h3>You're not likely to get any real savings until later this year at the eariiest because the legislation has to be approved by Parliament before it can become law. Insurance industry analyst Consumer Intelligence says the first thing motorists should notice when the new measures come into force is a reduction in nuisance calls offering to handle whiplash claims. The company's chief executive Ian Hughes said customers will want to shop around to make sure their insurer is indeed lowering premiums in line with savings."Buying your first car is an exciting experience and the good news is that there are some <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/reviews/">excellent new cars on sale</a> today that fit the bill for new and young drivers.Finding the right first car is still a challenge, though. The options may be plentiful, but there are a lot of things that could make a big difference in how much it will cost to own.<h3>Best first cars for new drivers</h3>Crucially, a first car has to be cheap to insure. Drivers with little or no experience behind the wheel are much more likely to be involved in an accident than older motorists who have racked up miles.<ul><li><h3><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/buying/driving-test-changes--everything-you-need-to-know/n1209">The practical driving test changed on 4 December 2017 - here's everything you need to know about the new L-test</a></h3></li></ul>Insurance costs can be crippling, which is why it makes sense to go for a first car in one of the lowest insurance groups possible. UK insurance groups range from 1 (lowest) to 50 (highest), and a first car should be in single figures, ideally in group 5 or lower.<h3>See our slideshow of our <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/best-first-cars-for-new-drivers-2018/n17012">top 10 cars for new drivers</a></h3>

Georgia Coles

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UK Government to ban non-electric cars

New emissions tests could mean bigger discounts for car buyers

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