The automotive industry has hit out at the government and come to the defence of diesel by pointedly naming a car powered by the fuel as the best vehicle of the year.

Awarding a new SUV from Volvo the respected What Car? title, the judges took the opportunity to hit out at what they call “anti-diesel hysteria from politicians”.

Naming the Swedish manufacturer’s XC40 as the best car of 2018, they talked up the fuel, which many in the industry believe is being unfairly "demonised", harming Britain’s car sector.