Volkswagen under investigation over illegal software that masks pollution

[Buzy_Robot]

Just checked my MY13 125TDI Passat VIN on Volkswagen Germany's website: Aktuelle Kundeninformationen von Volkswagen and the following is courtesy of Google Translate:

Dear Volkswagen Customer,

We must inform you that, unfortunately, the built-in your vehicle with the VIN WVWXXXXXXXXXXX diesel engine type EA189 is affected by a software that nitric oxide levels (NOx) in the test run (NEDC) optimized. We assure you, however, that your car is technically safe and roadworthy!

We deeply regret that we have your confidence disappointed and are working hard on a technical solution. Volkswagen assumes of course the cost of all necessary measures and is making every effort to fully regain your confidence.

Your Volkswagen partner will be as soon as possible to come to you in order to inform you of the necessary measures. If you do not have a Volkswagen dealer contact, please use our contact function on this website.

Best Regards,
Thomas Zahn
Sales & Marketing Director Germany

It'll be interesting to see what happens on Volkswagen Australia's website in the days ahead.

[Buzy_Robot]

http://volkswagendieselinfo.com.au/

VOLKSWAGEN GROUP AUSTRALIA ANNOUNCES TEMPORARY SUSPENSION OF SALES OF CERTAIN AFFECTED VEHICLES FITTED WITH EA189 DIESEL ENGINES

Volkswagen Group Australia (VGA) met with the relevant government authorities yesterday to advise them of its strategy in Australia to address concerns that have been raised around the world regarding the diesel emissions issue.

In its first step, effective immediately VGA has temporarily suspended the sale of affected vehicles fitted with 1.6 or 2.0-litre EA189 diesel engines. The suspension will remain until the emission issues are addressed in those vehicles.

VGA will make further announcements next week.

For current owners it is important to note that all affected vehicles remain safe and drivable during this period. Customers who would like further information can contact our customer call centre on 1800 607 822 from 8:30am, Tuesday 6th October (Australian Eastern Daylight Savings time).

[fox]

Funny Article from someone trying to sell his 1 year Old Jetta TDI in US


Here’s What Happened When I Tried To Sell My TDi ScandalWagen to CarMax

I don't know how the resale values of these cars is going in Australia. I am not trying to sell at the moment probably will sell once the dust settles and people forget about Diesel Gate.

[Eaglehawk]

I just downloaded the current Golf Mk7 MY16 brochure.

I can't find the EU rating in it...is this how VW Australia fixes things?

[Amalgam]

Just checked my MY13 125TDI Passat VIN on Volkswagen Germany's website: Aktuelle Kundeninformationen von Volkswagen and the following is courtesy of Google Translate:

Yep ours is affected

[Tornado_ALIVE]

And as Greg has expertly pointed out, there's more than enough scope in the engine mapping to reduce the emissions to an acceptable level, whilst maintaining the all-important power, torque and economy.

If it was that easy, they would have done it in the first place....... There will no doubt be a significant compromise somewhere

[Umai Naa!!]

If it was that easy, they would have done it in the first place....... There will no doubt be a significant compromise somewhere

I have no doubt that a lot of R&D has been done since then, in both the OEM and aftermarket worlds.

Only time will tell what the actual fix will be, and how it affects the end user.

[Amalgam]

If it was that easy, they would have done it in the first place....... There will no doubt be a significant compromise somewhere

I could not agree more.

VW had the ECU software that would meet emissions testing, but chose not to use it in real world conditions !!

[Sunny43.5]

For all the Transporter T5 owners this was on the media today so if it is affecting UK sales then we may be in line as well .But it could also relate only to the Caddy , it's not clear at this stage .

"The company has said that 11 million diesel vehicles from several of its 12 brands had engines fitted with software that can help them cheat through emissions tests. Those include 5 million Volkswagen passenger cars; 2.1 million Audis; 1.8 million Volkswagen commercial vehicles; 1.2 million Skodas; and 700,000 vehicles made by Spain-based SEAT."

[Cossor]

BBC VW VS Ford focus

Smaller Ford diesel Vs VW Passat

We asked independent testers from Emissions Analytics to put a couple of diesel-powered cars through their paces.

We chose a two litre Volkswagen, because it is the company at the centre of the scandal, and a 1.5 litre Ford Focus, which according to DVLA figures is the second most popular diesel car on Britain's roads today (after the VW Golf).

We are not suggesting that either of these cars is cheating in any way.

The test recreates the way people actually drive around town - often at low speeds and in traffic, but with the odd fast stretch.
Engines have to meet European emissions regulations based on when they were built. The VW Passat that was tested was a slightly older model, so it had to meet the less stringent Euro 5 requirements. The newer Ford Focus had to meet the tougher Euro 6 standards.
In the tests conducted for the BBC, the VW emitted 0.664g of NOx per km, which is a touch under four times the regulated limit of 0.18g under the Euro 5 rules.

It managed 41.7 miles per gallon in urban testing, which is close to its published urban fuel efficiency of 44.8 mpg.

The Ford emitted 0.422g of NOx per km, which is more than five times the regulated limit of 0.08g under the Euro 6 rules.

It managed 47 miles per gallon in urban testing - well below its published urban fuel efficiency of 65.7 mpg.

Try this link
Putting car emissions to the test - BBC News

[wai]

[COLOR="#B22222"]We chose a two litre Volkswagen, because it is the company at the centre of the scandal, and a 1.5 litre Ford Focus, which according to DVLA figures is the second most popular diesel car on Britain's roads today (after the VW Golf).

We are not suggesting that either of these cars is cheating in any way.

The test recreates the way people actually drive around town - often at low speeds and in traffic, but with the odd fast stretch.
Engines have to meet European emissions regulations based on when they were built. The VW Passat that was tested was a slightly older model, so it had to meet the less stringent Euro 5 requirements. The newer Ford Focus had to meet the tougher Euro 6 standards.
In the tests conducted for the BBC, the VW emitted 0.664g of NOx per km, which is a touch under four times the regulated limit of 0.18g under the Euro 5 rules.

It managed 41.7 miles per gallon in urban testing, which is close to its published urban fuel efficiency of 44.8 mpg.

The Ford emitted 0.422g of NOx per km, which is more than five times the regulated limit of 0.08g under the Euro 6 rules.

It managed 47 miles per gallon in urban testing - well below its published urban fuel efficiency of 65.7 mpg.

Now let me start by saying that this is NOT directed at you, but at the media commentators who are stirring this along and really do not know what they are talking about.

There was NEVER EVER ANY ASSUMPTION OR EXPECTATION THAT VEHICLE EMISSIONS IN-SERVICE WOULD MATCH THOSE ATTAINED IN OFFICIAL EMISSIONS TESTING. Sorry for shouting, but it has to be said and made clear.

Also EVERY manufacturer has what could be classed as a "defeat code" in their ECU software. The settings in the ECU that are used during emissions testing are NEVER the same as those used in-service. As I have said before, we are no longer in the era of carburettors, simple fuel injection systems, distributors with mechanical and vacuum advance and a single ignition coil. We now have computer control of the fuel and air supply to the engine that changes microsecond by microsecond based on the signals received from dozens of sensors.

So, it doesn't surprise me that other vehicles emit levels above that set in the official emission test. They ALL exceed the limits set in the official tests when tested using in-service tests, and are expected to. It is the uninformed commentators who act surprised when they discover that this is the case.

When the standards used were developed, this was known and acknowledged, however the argument was that a vehicle that met the limits in official test was going to better in-service than one that did not meet the limits in the official test, and that still holds true.

[Umai Naa!!]

Just to re-itterate what has already been clarifed; there is no 'cheat device' on them.

It's all in the ECU mapping. The cars tested, where put into what's been referred to as 'dyno mode', by way of some pedal dancing and button mashing, which prompts the ECU to divert to a different set of maps (much in the same vein as Limp Mode when there's a sensor fault), which allowed the cars to meet emissions guidelines.

[PerthMTB]

There was NEVER EVER ANY ASSUMPTION OR EXPECTATION THAT VEHICLE EMISSIONS IN-SERVICE WOULD MATCH THOSE ATTAINED IN OFFICIAL EMISSIONS TESTING.

Well said Wai, but I think it's a message that's going to get drowned out in the rush to demonize VAG diesels as polluting!

[fransnz]

So its happened - VW Australia have put a stop on all diesel model sales.
Wonder whats going to happen?

[bluey]

A video from BBC testing a Euro 5 Passat and Euro 6 Focus on the road. Both show a 4-5x increase in NOx levels as compared to 'Test Standards'.[...]

Two cars road tested - how clean are they? - BBC News

Exactly what the ICCT white paper said, but ICCT had a load of models.

The 35x is likely an anomaly caused by low cetane US fuel and incompetently designed WVU test rig.