2015 has been anything but dull in the world of cars. News that Volkswagen has been rigging emissions data in its diesel models has, quite rightly, commanded thousands of column inches. But there have been positive developments too, particularly in the realms of the electric car and driverless technologies. As we look forward to another 12 months of automotive intrigue, we list 8 things we didn’t know about cars before 2015.

1.       VW has been rigging diesel emissions data

Volkswagen (josefkubes/Bigstock.com)

In September the US Environmental Protection Agency accused Volkswagen of fitting 'defeat software' in its diesel engines, making them appear far less polluting than they were. In fact, their toxic output was up to 40 times over the legal limit. 11m cars have been affected worldwide. This has been a big topic of discussion among our vehicle breakdown cover customers.

2.       Luxury SUVs are going to be big

2016 Bentley Bentayga (a.zavatskiy/Bigstock.com)

Or at least, the likes of Bentley, Jaguar, Rolls Royce and Lamborghini hope they will be. They all have SUV models at various stages of completion. These brands make cars that seldom require the attentions of roadside breakdown cover providers – but can they import that quality into their off-road vehicles?

3.       Big car tax changes are coming

From 2017, CO2 output will only affect the first year of car tax. A flat rate of £140 will be levied from then on, unless your car cost more than £40,000, in which case you'll pay an annual sum of £450.

4.       JLR may buy Silverstone

Silverstone (Neil Balderson/Bigstock.com)

The Indian-owned group may purchase the UK's most famous track and use it for testing.

 5.       TVR will be back in 2017

TVR (prescott09/Bigstock.com)

The Blackpool-based boutique car maker is already taking deposits for its new model. Will it survive? We hope so.

6.       Electric sports cars are cool

Porsche Mission E Concept (VanderWolf Images/Bigstock.com)

While the likes of Aston Martin and Porsche may never been seen dead making a diesel, they are totally fine with building electric sports cars. Aston is working on its RapidE, while Porsche impressed us with its futuristic Mission E concept earlier this year.

7.       Alfa Romeo Giulia set to wow us - and worry BMW

Alfa Romeo Giulia (bettorodrigues/Bigstock.com)

The pretty lines of the new Giulia have got Alfa fans' pulses racing. We don’t know how it drives yet, but with a 510bhp twin-turbo V6 engine, it should be more than a match for BMW's M3.

8.       Ferrari’s Dino to make a return

Ferrari Dino GT (ermess/Bigstock.com)

The famous 1969 car, named after Enzo Ferrari’s son, will be back soon enough and will appear below the 488 GTB in the model range. Despite being an entry-level Ferrari, however, it won’t be cheap.