VW Emissions scandal

[Rock Trol]

What does everyone think about the VW emissions scandal? Pretty cynical of them to cheat like that. I think there will be far reaching consequences for diesels after this. Out of the 3 cars tested the two VW's both failed. The BMW passed as it used a AdBlue system and DPF. No EGR as far as I know.

The regulators are now planning to change the way they test and this could mean the end for a lot of diesels. We know manufacturers tune their cars to pass the test (VW didn't even try) but will they pass in the real world under varying conditions? Most manufacturers rely on the dud technology of EGR and detuning the engines to meet emissions targets. This may no longer be enough and it causes us no end to reliability issues.

Do you think we are on the verge of manufacturers making powerful and clean diesels with new technology or is it the end of diesel in passenger cars (similar to the US)? What's everyone's opinion?

[nissannewby]

Emission laws and systems are crap. My field is predominantly diesel and its really a false economy. The materials used for things like dpf's and aftertreatment systems are quite bad for the environment.

Interestingly a little while ago toyota was fined quite substantially because they knew of a safety problem with one of their models but kept it hidden. They did recieve the apparent fines that vw will apparently recieve simply for passing an emissions test in those parameters.

No doubt other manufacturers will be caught up in this as well.

[Rock Trol]

Emission laws and systems are crap. My field is predominantly diesel and its really a false economy. The materials used for things like dpf's and aftertreatment systems are quite bad for the environment.

No doubt other manufacturers will be caught up in this as well.

It all depends on how Europe reacts to this. They heavily subsidised diesel so that most cars, even "light" cars are now diesel and their air quality is getting pretty bad. If its found that other companies cheated or that most new cars don't really meet standards outside of the lab then there might be a reaction. Reading a lot of articles most people complain about the air quality in some cities but are told its the older cars causing the problems. Once the new "clean diesels" replace them things will be fine, but if most new ones aren't really all that clean they may tighten up laws like the US. What they do we eventually follow.

[the evil twin]

I prefer the 6.5 litre Chevy pollution management system.
Reduces pollutants by 50% or more using a very simple method
They use so much fuel that, 1/2 the time, most people can't afford to run them.