Volkswagen under investigation over illegal software that masks pollution

[Ryeman]

I used to get Octavias as a hire car from Europcar all the time as I had one and knew what I could fit in it for work. Was great but yes the DSG drove me nuts. Parallel parking up a steep hill was the deciding point as the car kept rolling forward towards the car I was trying to park behind so had to use two pedals and couldn't trust it was going to engage the clutch correctly. Its fun with a manual but at least I can control the clutch picking up. Roundabouts they always seem to be in too high a gear...

The engine and transmission parameters are set for minimal emissions during certification and certainly not for driving enjoyment.

[ian]

Fords in trouble with their power shift gear box

Ford PowerShift class action: Women say company blamed car problems on their driving skills

[Ryeman]

More Ford U.S. Recalls
EGR - Ford EGR Is Not Cool - Automotive Service Professional
And
Ford F-150, Explorer, Focus Electric, Transit Connect recalled for brake, transmission, other issues

at least they're not kept a secret and called a 'service campaign'

[Ozsko]

News on the Australian work -
Volkswagen - Volkswagen dieselgate fix is in | GoAuto

You go first and let me know what happens.

[Amalgam]

Here's What Will Happen To The Thousands Of Diesels Volkswagen Buys Back

All Eligible Vehicles returned to Settling Defendants through the Recall Program shall be rendered inoperable by removing the vehicle’s Engine Control Unit (“ECU”) and may be, to the extent possible, recycled to the extent permitted by law.

[Ozsko]

I wonder if the disposal and recycling costs have been factored into the final figure made public.

[stefcio007]

My parent's drive a 2006 Ford Territory that uses the ZF 6HP26 transmission, they haven't ever had an issue and I've driven it for a year or two as well. If you google it though there are reports of serious transmission issues with it. Although that's a torque converter setup, seems to be more reliable than DCT/DSG that's being pumped out now days.

Ford made their own version of it, while the following used the OEM provided by ZF Friedrichchafen AG.
It was used in BMW, Jaguar, Rolls Royce, Lincoln, Maserati, Kia, Hyundai and Bentley.

Interestingly, VW, Audi, Bentley, used the "A" variant for 4-wheel drives.
The "X" variant was used in Range Rover, Land Rover and BMW.

Jaguar, Ford and Rolls Royce, Bentley, VW are currently the only manufacturers still using the ZF 6HP26 trans in present models.
With VW using it in the Phaeton, which ended (ending?) production this year.

Should we be going back to torque converter type designs?

[Ryeman]

My parent's drive a 2006 Ford Territory that uses the ZF 6HP26 transmission, they haven't ever had an issue and I've driven it for a year or two as well. If you google it though there are reports of serious transmission issues with it. Although that's a torque converter setup, seems to be more reliable than DCT/DSG that's being pumped out now days.

Ford made their own version of it, while the following used the OEM provided by ZF Friedrichchafen AG.
It was used in BMW, Jaguar, Rolls Royce, Lincoln, Maserati, Kia, Hyundai and Bentley.

Interestingly, VW, Audi, Bentley, used the "A" variant for 4-wheel drives.
The "X" variant was used in Range Rover, Land Rover and BMW.

Jaguar, Ford and Rolls Royce, Bentley, VW are currently the only manufacturers still using the ZF 6HP26 trans in present models.
With VW using it in the Phaeton, which ended (ending?) production this year.

Should we be going back to torque converter type designs?

I now understand why Honda were so slow to bring out a diesel........for the same reason they haven't touched DCT/DSG type transmission I suspect - reliability.

[Amalgam]

Brexit Will Hurt The American Auto Industry And There's Nothing You Can Do About It

2nd Gear: Europe Is Still Really Mad At Volkswagen

American owners of cheaty Volkswagen diesels have tentatively received what looks to be a pretty sweet deal in compensation for the company’s deception. You know who hasn’t received a rotten centime yet? European cheaty Volkswagen diesel owners. And the European Union is starting to get pissed about that, the Financial Times reports:

The European Commission is strongly objecting to how VW has offered US owners of diesel cars that were equipped with software to cheat in emissions tests up to $10,000 each in compensation, but nothing to their European counterparts.

EU officials said VW’s blunt refusal to make a gesture to car owners in Europe could do reputational damage to the wider auto industry, with a knock-on effect on the reception that the sector will get when it tries to lobby the regional bloc on other issues.
But here’s the kicker. It doesn’t look like VW is actually capable of making a similar payout to Europeans. The deal offered to Americans will end up costing the company around $15 billion, but if that same deal was offered to Europeans, it would cost the company $43 billion, or almost triple the amount, thanks to so many more VW diesels being sold in Europe.

The EU is acknowledging that it’s “unrealistic,” but VW is saying it wouldn’t be necessary, anyway, as American emissions restrictions are tougher and surmounting them wouldn’t be an easy fix.

3rd Gear: Speaking of, Germany Is Especially Pissed

It’s not just the EU that’s mad at VW for a lack of any real compensation, but Germans especially sound like they’re ready to start something soon (from Bild via Bloomberg):

“It’s not acceptable that the government doesn’t take any real consequences from the emissions scandal and gives a blank check for tricks and deceptions,” said Oliver Krischer, a member of Germany’s Bundestag from the opposition Green Party who is leading a parliamentary investigation committee. “It needs to be explained why companies in Germany don’t pay fines. It’s also not OK that European drivers are treated worse than American VW drivers.”
Part of the reason why the German federal government has been so soft on Volkswagen up until this point is because any real punishment would be cutting off its nose to spite its face. The German state of Lower Saxony actually owns 20 percent of Volkswagen, so any move to recompense German VW owners will actually just hurt more German citizens.

Which is a downside of state-invested capitalism.

[Ryeman]

Another delay involving did/didn't from VW........
Volkswagen Australia denies using defeat devices

[Sunny43.5]

Another delay forgive me but hasn't VWA already sent out recall letters in relation to this ? so why are they now denying it makes no sense .

[Ozsko]

Another delay forgive me but hasn't VWA already sent out recall letters in relation to this ? so why are they now denying it makes no sense .

To be pedantic they have sent out advisories about a voluntary recall in Oz and at this stage it has not been made compulsory to have it done as far as I am aware of. Have any letters been sent telling owners saying that they can have the update done to their vehicles, Amarok maybe? I received an email two days ago and a confirming letter by post saying they were on the case and they will advise me further as they progress.

[Ryeman]

I got an email of nothing substantial other than comforting waffle
2018 seems to relate to civil law suits and their resolution
VW admit nothing

[Greg Roles]

My local Skoda dealer knows I actually want to come in asap, but they are waiting to be told when and to be supplied with said software. They are in the dark too it seems.

[feenix74]

I found this latest update from VWA interesting.

When the Amarok was released in Australia in 2011, the Euro 4 limit of 390 grams applied. The Amarok was at the time the only comparable vehicle in Australia to meet the far stricter Euro 5 standard.

I wonder if the fact that the Amarok (as a commercial vehicle) only has to meet EURO 4 is why it is the first vehicle to receive the "update" . . .