California Isn't Happy With VW's 3.0 TDI Emissions Fix

While it’s mostly been VW Group’s four-cylinder oil burners racking up a spectacular dieselgate headline count, we can’t forget that the embattled car company also has issues with its 3.0-litre V6 TDI engine. The engine - found in various models from the Audi, VW and Porsche brands - was found to be party to the same sort of emissions test skullduggery, leading VAG to put forward a recall proposal in the USA to fix the unit. However, the proposed fix has since been rejected by the California Air Resources Board (CARB). To make matter worse for VW, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) backed CARB’s conclusion that the fix was inadequate.

It’s not known exactly what the recall work consisted of, although it has been reported that a catalytic converter change was part of the programme. In a statement to Bloomberg, a VW spokesperson said: “We continue to work closely with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and CARB to try to secure approval of a technical resolution,” but if one can’t be found that satisfies CARB or the EPA, VW may need to roll out a buyback scheme for affected cars.

That would mean buying back 85,000 vehicles, adding to the 475,000 VW has already agreed to purchase in the USA. Make no mistake, VW hasn’t finished dipping into its wallet in the dieselgate aftermath just yet…

Sources: Bloomberg, Automotive News