It’s not just VW: 30 dirty diesels accused of emissions cheating

Transport and Environment claims these 30 cars produce ‘suspect’ emission results in official tests

It's not just VW: 30 dirty diesels accused of emissions cheating

The Transport and Environment campaign group is calling on regulators to investigate 30 cars it claims produced ‘suspect’ emissions results when tested by authorities. The organisation says it has evidence that ‘defeat devices’, such as those used in the Volkswagen emissions scandal, have been used by ‘most’ carmakers.

The group says this evidence includes inappropriate use of a ‘thermal window’ (29 models), high ‘hot-restart’ emissions (23 models) and plain shut-offs after a certain time (at least one model). These are the 30 cars the organisation believes may use defeat devices.

BMW 216d Gran Tourer

As BMW’s first people carrier and front-wheel-drive model, the 2 Series GT is no stranger to controversy. Transport and Environment claims that, during tests, the 2 Series GT made liberal use of what’s described as a ‘thermal window’, a period during which manufacturers can decrease emissions management systems in a bid to prevent parts being damaged by condensation.

BMW 530d

The campaign group says that 23 of the ‘dirty 30’ feature unusually high emissions following a hot engine restart, rather than a cold start. Although manufacturers claim this is normal, Transport and Environment disputes this – with the BMW 530D being accused as one of the 23 hot-start dodgers.

Citroen C4 Picasso 1.6 BlueHDi

Citroen C4 Picasso 1.6 BlueHDI

During cold track tests held in France, the group claims the Citroen C4 Picasso showed signs of the thermal window being abused.

Dacia Sandero 1.5 dCi

Bad news! The super-affordable Dacia Sandero is an emissions cheater, says Transport and Environment. Tested in France, the group alleges the Sandero ‘cheats’ the system using both thermal window and hot-start methods.

Fiat 500X 2.0 MJT

We quite like the Fiat 500X – although it’s better with the smaller 1.6-litre turbodiesel and fun 1.4-litre petrol than the 2.0-litre diesel featured here. Apparently, in German tests, the 500X’s exhaust treatment switched off after 22 minutes. Normally, emissions tests last for 20 minutes. Draw your own conclusions…

Ford C-Max TDCi

Ford C-Max TDCi

The organisation claims the popular Ford C-Max, powered by the turbodiesel in 1.5- and 2.0-litre guises, shows signs of dodging emissions tests. These include both the thermal window cheat and hot start.

Ford Focus 1.5 TDCi

It’s no surprise then, that the Focus, using the same 1.5-litre turbodiesel as the C-Max, also shows similar symptoms.

Honda CR-V 1.6 i-DTEC

It was during track testing in the UK with a warm engine that the Honda CR-V, powered by the 1.6-litre turbodiesel engine, showed signs of using both the thermal window and hot-start cheats.

Hyundai i20 1.1 CRDi

Hyundai i20 1.1 CRDi

Tested in the UK, Transport and Environment says the Hyundai i20 with the super-efficient 1.1-litre CRDi engine shows signs of both thermal window and hot-start dodges.

Jaguar XE 2.0d

It’s the entry-level 163hp 2.0-litre turbodiesel Jaguar XE that’s been accused of cheating tests here. Again, it showed signs of playing both thermal window and hot start scams, says the organisation.

Kia Sportage 1.7 CRDi

The Kia Sportage has recently been replaced, but it’s its predecessor that the organisation claims defeated emissions tests. The 1.7-litre diesel showed signs of using the thermal window and hot-start methods, apparently.

Mazda 6 2.2 diesel

Mazda 6 2.2 diesel

With Mazda’s Skyactiv technology, you’d hope the 2.2-litre diesel would be fairly efficient. The organisation claims it’s cheated tests, however.

Mercedes-Benz A180d and A200d

Transport and Environment claims that three Mercedes-Benz models have produced suspicious results during German emissions testing. The first is the A-Class, which allegedly showed signs of using the thermal window technique in testing of the A180d model, and both thermal window and hot-restart methods during testing of the A200d.

Mercedes-Benz S350 Bluetec

The current generation S-Class, in S350 Bluetec guise, reportedly showed symptoms of cheating using the hot-start and thermal window methods.

Mercedes-Benz V250d

Mercedes-Benz V250d

Vans are currently under the spotlight with regard to emissions tests – and Mercedes-Benz’s ‘van with windows’ V250d is alleged to have produced some ‘interesting’ results.

Nissan Qashqai 1.6 dCi

Ah, the wholesome, family-friendly Nissan Qashqai. Powered by the 1.6-litre diesel Renault engine, it showed peculiar results relating to the thermal window cheat during testing in the UK.

Peugeot 5008 1.6 BlueHDi

The only model by French manufacturer Peugeot alleged to have cheated tests is the 5008 people carrier, powered by the 1.6-litre BlueHDI turbodiesel engine.

Porsche Macan S Diesel

Porsche Macan S diesel

Porsche isn’t a big user of diesel engines – nor is it a company that is traditionally overly concerned about emissions. But buyers of its Macan S Diesel might be interested to know that Transport and Environment says it showed signs of ‘test recognition’ – just like VW’s cheat device.

Range Rover Evoque 2.0 TD4

Could this knock the ever-popular Range Rover Evoque off its perch? The 180hp turbodiesel apparently showed suspicious results in UK tests.

Renault Captur 1.5 dCi

Renault is potentially the biggest emissions cheat – says Transport and Environment – with no fewer than four cars showing suspect results. The first is the Captur crossover, with the 1.5-litre diesel engine.

Renault Megane 1.5 dCi

Renault Megane 1.5 DCi

Unsurprisingly, the Megane powered by the same engine also showed signs of using the hot-start and thermal window dodges.

Renault Kadjar 1.5 and 1.6 dCi

As did the Renault Kadjar, in both 1.5- and 1.6-litre dCi guises.

Renault Espace 1.6 dCi

The 1.6-litre turbodiesel Renault Espace people carrier showed signs of using the thermal window cheat.

Skoda Octavia 1.6 TDI

Skoda Octavia 1.6 TDI

As a Volkswagen Group product, it’s perhaps unsurprising to see the Skoda Octavia 1.6-litre turbodiesel showed signs of thermal window, test recognition and hot-start cheats.

Suzuki Vitara 1.6 DDiS

The latest Suzuki Vitara is one of our favourite crossovers, but Transport and Environment alleges that the 1.6-litre diesel showed signs of using the thermal window and hot-start bodges during testing.

Toyota Avensis 2.0 D-4D

The taxi drivers’ favourite – but is the Avensis pumping lots of nasty emissions into our city centres? The campaign group reckons so – with the 2.0-litre diesel showing signs of exploiting hot start and thermal window cheats.

Vauxhall Mokka 1.6 CDTi

Vauxhall Mokka 1.6 CDTi

Tested in Europe as an Opel, the diesel Mokka showed signs of using both thermal window and hot-start cheats according to Transport and Environment.

Vauxhall Zafira 1.6 CDTi

Amid the fire scandal, a Zafira’s emissions might be the last thing on an owner’s mind. Using the same engine as the Mokka, the newer Zafira Tourer showed suspicious results in hot-restart and thermal window tests.

Vauxhall Insignia 2.0 CDTi

The company car driver’s favourite thanks to its low emissions (on paper), has the Insignia been cheating tests? Transport and Environment thinks so.

Volvo V60 D3

Volvo V60 D3

Completing the ‘dirty thirty’ is the Volvo V60 D3. The Swedish estate car, tested in Spain, cheats thermal window and hot-start tests, according to the organisation behind the research.

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