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VW’s Fuel Economy Woes Focus on Small Diesels

Volkswagen AG’s discovery that fuel efficiency ratings were inflated for 800,000 of its cars applies almost entirely to small diesel-powered models sold in Europe.
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Volkswagen AG’s discovery that fuel efficiency ratings were inflated for 800,000 of its cars applies almost entirely to small diesel-powered models sold in Europe.

VW disclosed on Tuesday it had found “unexplained inconsistencies” in measures of carbon dioxide emissions, which are used to calculate fuel economy ratings, from the engines.

All but a handful of the diesels are 1.4-, 1.6- and 2.0-liter units produced in 2012 or later, according to the company. VW hasn’t clarified whether some or all of  the engines are part of VW’s “E189” engine family—the group VW rigged to cheat government nitrogen oxide emission tests in 11 million diesels.

VW says the affected engines also include a small number of 1.4-liter gasoline powerplants equipped with a cylinder deactivation system.

Cars that used the overrated engines include the Audi A1 and A3, SEAT Ibiza and Leon, Skoda Octavia and VW Golf, Passat and Polo. The company is still determining which model years are involved, but it says none of the cars were sold in the American market.

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