Europe: VW reveals dieselgate fix for 1.6L, 2.0L TDI engines

Unveil / reveal - two terms we generally use when a new product or technology has been announced. However, in this case, Volkswagen has "revealed" their fix for the dieselgate scandal in Europe.

Presented to the Federal Motor Transport Authority, the fix applies to EA 189 TDI engines that displace 1.6L and 2.0L. While the fix will involve hardware and software updates for the 1.6L TDI engine, the 2.0L TDI motor will only require a software update that is expected to take a labour time of half an hour. The final technical solution for the EA 189 1.2L diesel engine will be presented to the Federal Motor Transport Authority at the end of the month and is expected to involve a software update.

In the 1.6L TDI, what VW calls a "flow transformer" will be fitted directly in front of the air mass sensor. This is a mesh that controls the swirled air flow in front of the air mass sensor which is expected to improve the measuring accuracy of the air mass sensor. Additionally, this engine will also get a software update.

It cannot be confirmed if these alterations will be reflected with changes in performance or efficiency. The recall will begin in January 2016 and is expected spread across the calendar year.