Report Indicates VW Diesel Fix Will Probably Be A Software Reflash And A $11 Sensor

While that may make them Euro compliant, it' a snowball's chance in hell that'll work in the U.S., much less California.

VW is fk'd here in the States.

I read another report that to make the 1.6 and 2.0 liter diesels US compliant, it requires expensive hardware (e.g., urea injection system and related NOx converter), which increases the chances that VW will choose to buy back the specific offenders.

Since they are compliant without the defeat software in place, I don't know why they would need to add urea. The question is, what happens to performance and mileage when the defeat software is gone? Urea may be necessary to meet expectations, but not to be emissions compliant.

Also, if the report you read references the 1.6, that engine has never been available in the US. I would be quite suspicious of that report.

I am surprised an additional sensor is required. Since the controls are software based and the defeat function is what wasthe problem. The big cost is if owners don't like the resulting MPG or performance loss, the owner compensation will be the higher cost along with the fines.

The price to fix is extremely minor compared to the costs associated with fines and law suits based on fraud and misrepresentation. Not to mention what the expense will be if owners are granted lost resale value on each car. I'm still estimating a total loss in the tens of billions over many years. This is a gift that will keep on giving to lawyers, governments and consumers over many years.

If that's true, then why cheat in the first place?

That is a very good question. What we don't know is what the performance/MPG hit might be. But still, if that's all it takes, it should have been done in the first place.

Curious to see if that works for the US 2.0L as well.