The Volkswagen emissions cheating scandal has widened to include the recall of an additional 61,000 diesel-powered vehicles sold in Australia.
Advice from the car company this morning is that the additional vehicles now takes the total number of affected vehicles to 70,000, including 9,000 Amarok utes recalled earlier this year.
Of the total pool of Volkswagen vehicles affected, more than 35,000 will be able to have a software upgrade now, Volkswagen telling us the balance of the vehicles will be able to be attended to soon.
In a statement released by the car company, Volkswagen says the update implements changes to the software which manages the vehicle’s engine and, in some vehicles, involves a minor hardware update.
Performed by a Volkswagen dealer technician, it is expected to take less than an hour, and will be completed free of charge.
Volkswagen Australia boss Michael Bartsch has reassured affected owners that their vehicles won’t perform any differently after the repairs/upgrade.
“Authorities in Europe conducted a review and certified that following the update, the fuel figures and Co2 emissions originally listed by the manufacturer were confirmed.
“Engine performance, maximum torque and noise emissions were unaffected.”
Is your vehicle affected? Volkswagen owners can check here, Skoda here and Volkswagen Commercials here (have your VIN handy).
Volkswagen will be writing to all affected owners with instructions about booking vehicles in at dealerships for the recall procedure to be completed.
More info is also available from the customer care number – 1800 504 076.