VW Clean diesels.... how did they get them so clean?

[ultrarunner]

Porsche, Audi and VW are all part of the same ownership group. The diesel issue also involves the Audi diesels, but Audi is not getting brought up since they are owned by VW. (Like we talk about the GM ignition issues, rather than parsing out Chevrolet, GMC-which is a brand owned by GM, etc...)

What about Porsche Diesels?

Reason I asked is I know someone that just picked their special order two weeks ago... they absolutely love it and it pulls their trailer like a dream.

 

[IslandTractor]

What about Porsche Diesels? Reason I asked is I know someone that just picked their special order two weeks ago... they absolutely love it and it pulls their trailer like a dream.

Porsche uses a different bigger diesel ?V6). Bigger diesels don't seem to have the same difficulty meeting EPA specs.

 

[ultrarunner]

It would be interesting to know what difference to performance/economy was actually achieved by turning the anti-pollution gear off.

Same thoughts here.

Also, just curious what the real world specs are... the figure 40 x the allowable standard is buzzing around the news... so EPA mode = compliant... non EPA mode is 40 x the standard?

I've rented lots of diesels and the VW is a great performer in terms of mpg, performance, reliability, etc...

There is really no way for a consumer to know emission output independently.

 

[IslandTractor]

Same thoughts here. Also, just curious what the real world specs are... the figure 40 x the allowable standard is buzzing around the news... so EPA mode = compliant... non EPA mode is 40 x the standard? I've rented lots of diesels and the VW is a great performer in terms of mpg, performance, reliability, etc... There is really no way for a consumer to know emission output independently.

I'm pretty sure that the figures being thrown around represent extremes. That is typical for headline writers and prosecutors. They say 10-40x on NOx so the real world average number is probably closer to 10x. Maybe 40x is climbing long hills. Still a big difference from the "clean diesel" claims.

I heard a discussion today on NPR and an engineer stated that the reprogramming fix would almost certainly lower MPG but probably not affect performance/power much. I didn't catch why the thought that but he seemed knowledgeable.

 

[MossRoad]

It struck me funny the VW Economy Minister's name is Olaf Lies!

OUCH!!! :laughing:

 

[MossRoad]

I have been. Take a look at those who insist what I'm saying is incorrect, even though it's backed by facts. MikePA, Mossroad, etc. I thought we're all equal here, no?

Yep, the fact that it is incorrect information is accurate. I'll give you that.

 

[ovrszd]

I'm not even going to waste my time reading all the posts. I am amused by this. I am also intrigued by the possibility of others doing the same thing.

Friend of mine in the business said rumor has it a high level employee of VW was fired and blew the whistle. :confused3:

 

[IslandTractor]

I'm not even going to waste my time reading all the posts. I am amused by this. I am also intrigued by the possibility of others doing the same thing.

Friend of mine in the business said rumor has it a high level employee of VW was fired and blew the whistle. :confused3:

I haven't heard of any whistleblowing at all. This seems to have been a case of VW being backed into a corner by data as best I can tell. The University of West Virginia study just could not be explained away.

Here is an interesting article on the situation at VW from 30,000 feet: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/25/b...column-region&region=top-news&WT.nav=top-news

 

[MossRoad]

Yeah, nothing mentioned about whistle blowing yet.

 

[smstonypoint]

Note, I didn't say they were the only ones to cheat.

Note, you said "profit-driven companies will always cheat if they can." That is empty rhetoric. Do you think that the profit-driven companies that produced your tractor and your backhoe are always going to cheat when they can? If so, why did you buy their products? Presumably the owners of TBN and TBN advertisers are profit driven. Are they always going to cheat when they can? Several TBN members own their own businesses, presumably to earn a profit. Are they always going to cheat when they can?

When government agencies cheat we can obtain the truth via freedom of information and punish them with our ballots.

According to Sewage spills are down, but a work in progress | The Charlotte Observer, Raleigh NC had 52 sewage spills in 2014, releasing 669,409 gallons of sewage to surface water and paid $4,000 in fines. I admit that I don't read the News & Observer on a regular basis, but I haven't heard about the citizenry demanding that the city pay additional fines or elected officials being defeated due to sewage spills during their tenure.

If we didn't have an EPA there would be no one to hold big companies responsible. Their PR departments would overwhelm any whistleblower or journalist and their legal department would stymie any fact finding.

Sure others cheat but you go after the big fish first.

Have your heard of Pigovian taxes or the Coase Theorem as alternatives to regulation as means of handling social costs?

Steve