Volkswagen emissions scandal : 98,000 petrol cars affected?

It looks like we can no longer use the term "dieselgate" for the VW emissions scandal. It has emerged that during the course of internal investigations, irregularities were found while ascertaining type approval CO2 levels. The irregularities have been found in around 8,00,000 VW group vehicles, of which, around 98,000 units are believed to be petrol models according to the BBC.

Until now, the scandal has mainly focused on nitrogen oxide emissions from VW group diesel engines, while petrol engines were believed to be unaffected. While the diesel scandal has allegedly extended to the larger 3.0L diesel engine as well (a claim VW has denied), the petrol engine emission irregularities have reportedly been found in the 1.4L petrol mill found in smaller vehicles like the VW Golf, Polo and select models from Skoda, Seat and Audi.

As it stands, the scandal will affect around 11 million vehicles worldwide, with the number seemingly getting larger with new investigations. The newly found CO2 irregularities could cost the company in the region of 2 billion Euros. To add salt to VW's self-inflicted wounds, the company's share value has been plummeting as well.