The ministry said it had not yet determined whether VW vehicles with the newer “EA288” engine – mainly Euro 6 models – had manipulated emissions, and could announce results after it completes testing the diesel models of 16 automakers by April. Most of the vehicles shortlisted for the recall will be Euro 5 cars with 2000 and 1600 cc diesel EA 189 engines.
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Based on the approach of the Volkswagen brand, the Group’s other brands – Audi, Seat, Skoda and Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles – are also planning corresponding measures for their affected vehicles. Volkswagen and Audi have said repeatedly that the software on the V6 engines is only created to heat the engine to enhance reduction of nitrogen oxide emissions.
Thursday’s disclosure puts pressure on Mr. Stadler, a veteran Volkswagen executive. It was also the engine of choice for the Volkswagen Touareg and the Porsche Cayenne since 2013.
Mr. Stadler has declined repeated requests to speak to The Wall Street Journal about the emissions crisis. At least two engineers have been suspended as the company continues its internal investigation.
The German automaker has been negotiating with the authorities on details of a plan to deal with 482,000 diesel vehicles sold in the US that used deceptive software to duck emissions requirements for the 2-liter engine.
The plan includes both mechanical and software updates to bring the engines into compliance with EU28 emissions laws. The 2.0-litre TDI engines will only need software changes and should take less than half an hour to install.
An estimated 11 million diesel vehicles are affected, including 1.2 million the UK.
The technical patch that Volkswagen presented at company headquarters here is valid only for Europe, where it will be installed beginning next year.
Around 70 percent of foreign auto sales in South Korea are diesel engine vehicles.
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“We checked six cars of the five Volkswagen diesel models that were sold in Korea”, Hong Dong-gon, a spokesman for the Ministry of Environment, said at a press briefing held in Sejong City.
