VW unveils "fix" for 1.6- and 2-litre diesels

Volkswagen Group claims that "correction measures" for 1.6-litre and 2-litre diesel engines affected by the 'defeat device' have been “fixed for the majority of vehicles affected”.

In the development of the solutions, VW claims the focus has been on “maximum customer-friendliness”. After implementation of the technical measures, it says the vehicles will comply with the applicable emissions standards.

The “final technical” solution for the 1.2-litre diesel engine will be presented to the Federal Motor Transport Authority at the end of the month and is expected to comprise a software update.

The technical measures developed for the EA 189 diesel engines affected have been presented to the Federal Motor Transport Authority. However, VW has given no insight whatsoever as to how the defeat device came to be introduced, who was responsible for implementing it, who authorised it - in Germany, every company letter, for example has to be signed by two people. Nor has VW said what effect the "fix" has on vehicle emissions or fuel consumption, or why the measure was taken, bearing in the mind the profound effect it could have on the financial viability of the entire company.

Following an intensive examination, VW points out that "these measures" have been ratified by the Federal Motor Transport Authority. According to VW, this means there is now “clarity regarding the correction of the irregularities” for the majority of vehicles affected.

                                         Parts affected by the "fix"

Among measures is a “flow transformer” that will be fitted directly in front of the air mass sensor on the 1.6-litre EA 189 engine. This mesh “calms” the swirled air flow in front of the air mass sensor and thus “decisively improve” the measuring accuracy of the air mass sensor.

The air mass sensor determines the current air mass throughput, which is an important parameter for the engine management to achieve optimum combustion process.

In addition, a software update will be performed on this engine. The time needed for the implementation of the technical measures is expected to be less than one hour.

Volkswagen says the 2-litre engines will get a software update. The “pure labour time” for this measure will be around half an hour.

Volkswagen adds that thanks to “advances in engine development and improved simulation of currents inside complex air intake systems, in combination with software optimisation geared towards this, it has been possible to produce a relatively simple and customer-friendly measure”.

The company says the objective for the development of the technical measures is still to “achieve the applicable emission targets in each case without any adverse effects on the engine output, fuel consumption and performance”.

However, as all model variants first have to be measured, the achievement of these targets cannot yet be finally confirmed, VW warns.

Based on these technical measures accepted by the Federal Motor Transport Authority, the necessary service concepts are currently being developed for the EU28 markets concerned.

The aim is to implement the required technical update in the first vehicles during a recall from January 2016. According to the current assessment, all measures in the course of the recall for all engine variants will extend over the whole calendar year 2016.

Volkswagen says that it will ensure that the time needed to implement the technical measures is as short as possible for all customers.

In addition, Volkswagen will contact all customers and endeavour to consider individual customer needs during the implementation of these measures to avoid any disadvantages for the customer such as possible curbing of their mobility. In connection with this, the Volkswagen brand will thus ensure that all customers are offered appropriate replacement mobility options free of charge.

With these defined measures, technical solutions are already available for the majority of all Volkswagen Group models affected in Europe with EA 189 engines. At the end of this month, corresponding measures will be presented to the Federal Motor Transport Authority for the 1.2-litre 3-cylinder diesel engine as well.

Based on the approach of the Volkswagen brand, the Group's other brands – Audi, SEAT, ŠKODA and Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles – are also planning corresponding measures for their affected vehicles.

In addition, until 31 December 2016, Volkswagen AG says that is expressly forgoing the right to plea on the grounds of statutes of limitations in respect of any warranty or guarantee claims due to the software installed in vehicles with EA 189 engines, as long as the rights to make any such claims have not already expired. Volkswagen customers will therefore not be disadvantaged by any waiting.

It is the view of VW that the vehicles “remain technically safe and can therefore be driven on public roads without any limitation”.

However, the foregoing information does not refer to products and services from the Volkswagen Group of America or Volkswagen Canada.