Today, the Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt (KBA) or German Federal Bureau of Motor Transport officially widened its probe into NOx (oxides of nitrogen) emissions and the possible manipulation of results.
The German authority says that it has been investigating manipulation of pollution data, especially that of NOx, since Volkswagen admitted in mid-September that it had installed illegal software to cheat its way past laboratory emissions testing in up to 11 million vehicles with the EA189 diesel engine family.
“Third party verified hints about conspicuous pollutant emissions” and registration figures have factored in the KBA’s selection of brands and models for further testing and investigation.
According to the KBA, it is in the process of testing NOx emissions from these vehicles in both a laboratory setting and on-the-road with a portable emissions measurement system. The KBA says that it is around two-thirds of its way through its measurement phase.
So far, the KBA has noted increased NOx emissions under different driving and environmental conditions, and says that it is working with manufacturers and other authorities to analyse and interpret these results.
The KBA says that is investigating these brands and models outside of the Volkswagen Group:
- Alfa Romeo: Giulietta
- BMW: 3 Series and 5 Series
- Chevrolet: Cruze
- Dacia
- Fiat: Ducato and Panda
- Ford: Focus and C-Max
- Honda: HR-V
- Hyundai: i20 and ix35
- Jeep: Cherokee
- Mazda: 6
- Mercedes-Benz: C-Class, CLS, Sprinter and V-Class
- Mini
- Mitsubishi: ASX
- Nissan: Navara
- Opel: Astra, Insignia and Zafira
- Peugeot: 308
- Range Rover: Evoque
- Renault: Kadjar
- Smart: ForTwo
- Toyota: Auris (Corolla hatchback
- Volvo: V60
This is in addition these models currently being investigate by the KBA within the Volkswagen family:
- Audi: A3 and A6
- Porsche: Macan
- Volkswagen: Amarok, Beetle, Crafter, Golf, Golf SportsVan, Passat, Polo, Touran and Touareg