VW Diesel Scandal – 14 cars in India could be hit

A large number of cars sold in India use diesel engines from the EA189 motor family. From the humble Volkswagen Polo to the luxurious Audi A6, the EA189 diesel engine family has powered a wide range of cars. Over the past few days, the diesel emissions scandal has been blowing up in Volkswagen’s face across countries. In India, the Volkswagen (VW) group is under investigation too. The government has asked the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) to probe into the emissions scandal, and find out if VW cheated in India too. The diesel engine scandal threatens to push Volkswagen back by a decade. Some analysts are even bringing up a potential bankruptcy for the automaking behemoth.  Meanwhile, here are a range of cars that could be affected by the VW diesel scandal.

Volkswagen Polo

The Polo was launched in India with a 1.2 liter-3 cylinder TDI turbo diesel engine. For a while, Volkswagen also sold the car with the 1.6 TDI motor. Currently, the car uses the 1.5 TDI diesel motor in two states of tune. All these engines belong to the EA189 family. So, if a recall is in order, lots of Polo Diesels will need fixing.

Volkswagen Vento

The Vento is the sedan version of the Polo. The car was sold with the same 1.6 liter TDI motor that was available in the Polo GT TDI. The newer versions of the Vento use the 1.5 TDI motor. As detailed earlier, both engines are from the EA189 family.

Volkswagen Jetta

The previous generation Jetta )2008-2011) sold in India used the 1.9 PD (pump duse) turbo diesel engine. However, the newer model (2011-present) uses the 2.0 liter TDI turbo diesel engine from the EA189 family.

Volkswagen Passat

India has seen two generations of the Passat luxury sedan. Both cars have featured the 2 liter TDI turbo diesel engines from the EA189 family. However, the two engines had different states of tune.

Skoda Fabia

Skoda’s only hatchback, the Fabia was initially sold with a 1.4 liter PD diesel motor. Later models featured the 1.2 liter TDI motor, which was shared with the Polo Diesel.

Skoda Rapid

The Skoda Rapid is the badge-engineered version of the Vento, which means that it shares its engines and gearboxes with the latter.

Skoda Octavia

3 generations of the Skoda Octavia have been sold in India. The first generation model used the 1.9 liter PD turbo diesel engine. However, the 2nd (Laura) and 3rd (all-new Octavia) generation versions use(d) the 2.0 TDI turbo diesel motor from the EA189 family.

Skoda Yeti

The Skoda Yeti is a diesel-0nly SUV that featured the 2.0 liter TDI turbo diesel engine in two states of tune. A CKD model, a recall of this vehicle for the diesel emissions scandal could have local ramifications.

Skoda Superb

Two generations of the Skoda Superb have been sold here, and both generations use the 2 liter TDI turbo diesel engine from the EA189 family.

Audi A3

 

The A3 is the least expensive Audi sold in India, and also the one with the 2.0 TDI turbo diesel engine as a staple. Based on the MQB platform, the car uses the EA189 line up of diesel engines.

Audi A4

The A4 is sold with a range of turbo petrol and turbo diesel engines. However, the best selling variants of this car use the 2.0 TDI turbo diesel motor. No prizes for guessing the engine family.

Audi A6

Like the Audi A4, the A6 luxury sedan has a range of turbo petrol and turbo diesel engines on offer. However, the best selling variants use the 2.0 TDI motor.

Audi Q3

The Audi Q3 is a luxury SUV. In India, SUV means diesel. In case of the Q3, it’s the 2.0 liter TDI turbo diesel engine, available in two states of tune.

Audi Q5

The Q5 is Audi’s mid range luxury SUV, sandwiched between the Q3 and the Q7. The Q5 is sold with 2.0 and 3.0 TDI turbo diesel engines. Most variants use the smaller diesel motor though.