Volkswagen Dieselgate – Fuel Figures In Question, Petrol Models Also Affected

Volkswagen’s ‘dieselgate’ emissions scandal could soon be hit with a new ‘tag’, as reports out of Europe reveal that petrol-powered models are likely to be affected as well.

Besides the millions of EA189 diesel-powered Volkswagen, Skoda, Audi and Seat models (and possibly others) already caught up in the drama, a further 800,000 vehicles or more could also be targeted by authorities in the near future.

The UK’s Autocar reports the German carmaker has admitted that both petrol- and diesel-powered models outside of the initial dieselgate net could be pinged for incorrect CO2 and fuel economy ratings - but the majority are diesel-powered.

"Under the ongoing review of all processes and workflows in connection with diesel engines it was established that the CO2 levels and thus the fuel consumption figures for some models were set too low during the CO2 certification process,” Volkswagen said in a statement.

“The majority of the vehicles concerned have diesel engines."

The carmaker stressed that it was still early days for this latest issue, and that it plans to cooperate with authorities as the matter unfolds.

As with the EA189 diesel engine, Audi, Seat, Skoda and Volkswagen models with “small” engines are again affected by this latest development, and reports point to the Group’s staple 1.4 litre petrol engine as a likely powerplant of interest. The BlueMotion range of efficient diesels is also in the spotlight.

Fuel