Volkswagen details fixes for 1.6 and 2.0-litre TDI engines in Europe

The Volkswagen Group has presented its proposed specific technical measures for the EA 189 engines affected with a displacement of 1.6 and 2.0-litres to the German Federal Motor Transport Authority, in response to the ongoing emissions-cheating scandal. The 1.6 will need a software and hardware upgrade to be compliant, but the 2.0 will only require a software update.

For the 1.6-litre TDI, technicians will install a piece of mesh called a "flow transformer" in front of the air mass sensor. It will calm the swirled air flow in front of the air mass sensor and will decisively improve the measuring accuracy of the air mass sensor. Mechanics will also update the engine software, and the company expects the whole repair to take less than an hour.

The company has said that the 2.0 TDI needs a software update, but did not explain specifically what the new changes are. It should take about half an hour to install.

The objective for the development of the technical measures is to achieve the applicable emission targets in each case without any adverse effects on the engine output, fuel consumption and performance. However, as all model variants first have to be measured, the achievement of these targets cannot yet be finally confirmed. These repairs only apply to Volkswagen's diesel engines in Europe.