Diesel car particulate filters (DPFs) catch and collect harmful particulate emissions – but when they are periodically auto-cleaned, tailpipe emissions spike, something ignored in official EU emissions tests.

Researchers discovered particulate emissions from a Nissan Qashqai and Vauxhall Astra were between 32 percent and 115 percent over the legal limit during DPF cleaning.

Emissions of more harmful ‘ultrafine’ particulates spiked even higher, up to 184 percent.

However, NOx emissions did remain within legal limits during the tests.

Diesel particulate filters trap and store particulates produced by an engine, so they are not constantly released into the atmosphere. However, they have a finite capacity and are emptied during a cleansing or ‘burning off’ process. 

The cleaning process happens periodically, automatically, and can last for over nine miles at a time, claims lobby group Transport & Environment.

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A loophole, says the group, means official tests are ignored and restated if DPF cleaning occurs during the process.

There are 45 million cars equipped with DPFs in Europe, carrying out 1.3 billion filter cleanings a year, it claims.

“These tests show that new diesels are still not clean,” said T&E emissions engineer Anna Krakinska. “In fact they are spewing out highly-dangerous levels of particles in our towns and highways everyday.”

She said the next Euro emissions standard should close the loophole and set firm limits for all pollutants.

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The European Commissions should also require authorities to check cars already on the road – like the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) does.

“The endgame is a standard that demands zero emissions from cars on our roads.”

A Nissan spokesman said: “All Nissan vehicles and DPF device fitted in our vehicles fully comply with today’s emissions legislation.

“We support the evolution of emissions standards as well as the WLTP and Real Driving Emissions (RDE) homologation tests and have introduced a range of drivetrains to meet them.”

Growth in worldwide sales for the BMW Group during 2019 helped secure it the position as the best-selling premium car brand.

With total sales from the various BMW Group brands topping more than 2.5 million vehicles for the year, this represented an overall increase of 1.2 percent compared to 2018.

A strategy of offering increasing choice to customers, a move called the “power of choice” by BMW, saw a particular focus being paid to SUV models.  

More BMW SUVs, more performance models 

Cars and SUVs wearing the BMW badge were the biggest sellers overall, with a grand total of 2,168,516 new vehicles sold during 2019. This represented a 2.0 percent increase when compared to sales the previous year. 

BMW’s X-range of SUVs saw substantial growth, with 21 percent more of them sold during 2019. Across the world, 958,732 high-riding BMW models found themselves in the hands of new owners.

Performance models were also in demand, with 135,826 M-badged models being sold. This is the best-ever sales results in the nearly five decades of M products being sold, and demonstrated a hefty 33.2 percent increase compared to the year before. 

Growing demand for luxury

BMW also noted that the range-topping 7 Series, 8 Series, and brand-new X7 contributed to a gigantic 66 percent increase in sales of luxury models. A total of 105,331 new vehicles were sold in this category, and works towards BMW’s plan to double luxury sales between 2018 and 2020.

Rolls-Royce also saw unprecedented sales and growth, with particular success attributed to the brand-new and controversial Cullinan off-roader. The company sold more cars than ever before in its 116-year history, delivering 5,152 of them during 2019 for a 25.4 percent increase. 

Buyers of Rolls-Royce models also showed an increased interest in bespoke custom cars, taking advantage of the numerous options to add a personal touch to their new vehicle. 

Mini sales shrink, electric charging up

The only brand in the BMW Group not to show a sales growth, instead reporting a 4.1 percent decrease in 2019, was Mini. Whilst hot John Cooper Works models were still in demand, a total of 346,639 Mini models were delivered last year. 

Mini is pitching hopes on electric and plug-in hybrid models for the future. More than 90,000 potential customers registered their interest in the battery-powered Mini Electric, which went on sale late in 2019. 

Overall, the BMW Group delivered 145,818 electrified models during 2019, representing a 2.1 percent increase against 2018. BMW’s electric i brand saw improved sales, with the i3 and outgoing i8 selling 12.1 percent more units than the year before. 

BMW tops the table for premium German brands

The BMW Group’s total sales of 2.52 million cars and SUVs in 2019 does place it comfortably clear of its two biggest German rivals. 

Audi did show an increased growth of 1.8 percent in 2019, delivering 1.85 million cars and setting a new sales record for the company in North America. 

Mercedes-Benz, when including cars sold under the Smart brand, ran BMW closer by delivering 2.46 million vehicles last year. Growth was lower, demonstrating only a 0.7 percent increase against 2018, and hurt by a 9.3 percent fall in Smart sales.

Ford Bronco fever continues amongst enthusiasts, as the reveal of the all-new model gets ever closer. 

Whilst buyers have been busy snapping up classic examples, now there is a chance to purchase a unique custom Bronco and help a charity. 

Auction website Bring a Trailer is currently featuring the sale of a special 1966 Bronco, which appeared at the world-famous SEMA Show in 2019. 

The story of this Bronco began when the WD-40 Company, of eponymous lubricating spray fame, found the classic SUV in Florida. 

In need of restoration, WD-40 sponsored the Bronco build process, with the work itself being undertaken at SEMA’s very own in-house garage. 

With 15,000 sq ft of space, and filled with close to $2 million of equipment, the SEMA Garage in Diamond Bar, CA was the perfect place to turn the Bronco into a reborn hero. The build took three years, with meticulous attention to detail paid. 

Marking the biggest change to the Bronco was the introduction of a brand-new Ford 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6 engine. The same unit as used in the F-150 pickup truck, here the turbocharged gasoline engine produces 375 horsepower and 450 lb-ft of torque. 

Helping fit the EcoBoost engine into the Bronco is custom pipework from GReddy, connected to an Mishimoto intercooler. The engine cover itself is also a custom item, whilst the dual-exit exhaust system was supplied by MagnaFlow. 

A six-speed automatic transmission is connected to Tom Wood’s custom driveshafts and Currie Enterprises axle, sending power to all four wheels. A Dana 44 differential is fitted to the front axle, with a Ford 9-inch item at the rear.

A 5-inch suspension lift comes courtesy of a Skyjacker kit, along with other components supplied by Hellwig and Solo Motorsports. American Racing wheels have 35-inch Toyo tires mounted on them, with Wilwood brakes hiding behind them. 

Bodywork repairs were undertaken, with the Bronco being repainted in the distinctive blue color. A six-point roll cage, new exterior trim, and a powered side steps have been fitted in the transformation.

Inside, the Bronco now has seats covered tan leather with contrasting inserts. Piping inspired by WD-40 colors is also present, along with instruments wearing the WD-40 branding. An NRG Innovations wood-rimmed steering wheel has been fitted, too.

The modifications have created a classic SUV good enough to star at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, and produced a deeply desirable machine. 

This will hopefully result in an impressive sale price, with all proceeds being donated to the Childhelp non-profit organization. Bring a Trailer will also donate the buyer’s fee to the charity as well.

Bring a Trailer bidders have already shown their interest in the Bronco, with many more bids expected before the auction ends on Monday, January 13th.

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Considered to be one of the most famous movie cars ever seen on screen, the Ford Mustang GT hero car from the 1968 film ‘Bullitt’ has a new owner after a high-profile sale. 

Bidding was intense at the Mecum Kissimmee auction, with huge speculation in advance as to what the car could achieve. The final sale price was an amazing $3.4 million (£2.6 million).

The no reserve auction began at $3,500 – the amount the car was originally bought for in the 1970s – but climbed rapidly, with a $1 million bid within seconds.

Steve McQueen is reported to have deliberately picked the Mustang GT as the car driver by his character in the film, and undertook much of the stunt driving during the epic ten minute-long car chase scene.

Two Mustang GT Fastbacks in Highland Green were ordered for the film, with chassis number ‘559 the one used most by McQueen as the hero car. That was the car up for auction in Kissimmee. 

After filming, chassis ‘559 changed hands several times, before being bought by the late Robert Kiernan of New Jersey.

Despite the famous past, the Kiernan family used the ‘Bullitt’ Mustang as their sole daily driver from purchasing it in 1974, up until the early 1980s, when it was laid up. Robert Kiernan even turned down an offer from Steve McQueen himself to buy the car back.

Whilst Mustang enthusiasts hunted for the ‘lost’ Mustang, the Kiernans kept it hidden away until choosing to reveal it to the world to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the film. By then the car was still in original unrestored condition. 

The car’s role in Bullitt, the association with Steve McQueen, and the secret story behind its whereabouts made it an obvious contender for inclusion on Historic Vehicle Register. It also contributed to the huge speculation about how much it would achieve at auction.

Putting the Bullitt Mustang up for sale has been a tough decision for the Kiernan family with Robert’s son, Scott, appearing in person to start the bidding in Kissimmee. The impressive sale price will certainly help, as will seeing the ‘Stang attract major media attention. 

Most significantly the car that even the ‘King of Cool’ himself drove, but could not buy, has finally been sold at auction. With the 10% buyers’ fees added on, the new owner, named Frank, will have paid out a total of $3.74 million for the car. 

Whether the new owner plans to restore the Bullitt Mustang, or leave it as kept by the Kiernans, will remain to be seen.