Volkswagen has finally announced the long-awaited repair for its Dieselgate scandal in Europe. Presented to Germany’s Federal Motor Transport Authority, the fix applies to EA 189 four-cylinder TDI engines that displace 1.6- and 2.0-liters.
According to the automaker, a “flow transformer” will be fitted directly in front of the air mass sensor on the 1.6-litre EA 189 engine. This is a mesh that calms the swirled air flow in front of the air mass sensor and will thus decisively improve the measuring accuracy of the air mass sensor. The air mass sensor determines the current air mass throughput, which is a very important parameter for the engine management for an 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.
The 2.0-litre engines on the other hand, will get a software update. The labour time for this measure will take around half an hour. 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 measure for the 2.0-litre engine, unlike the 1.6-litre engine.
Volkswagen explained that after implementation of the technical measures, the vehicles will comply with the applicable emissions standards without any adverse effects on performance or fuel consumption. However, the company cautioned every variant hasn’t been tested yet.
While the solution covers most of the models affected by the Dieselgate scandal, the company intends to present the “final technical solution” for vehicles equipped with 1.2-liter diesel engines later this month. Like the 2.0-liter TDI engine, the fix for the 1.2-liter engine is only expected to comprise of a software update.
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.
However, just to be clear, these repairs only apply to Volkswagen’s diesels in Europe. It does not refer to Volkswagen’s diesels from the Volkswagen Group of America or Volkswagen Canada as the Environmental Protection Agency and the California Air Resources Board need to approve any fixes before the company can implement them.
