I look on this differently - The rule was that engines must meet certain tests in very controlled test conditions. Most manufacturers spent millions getting their engines to meet the standards ONLY at the test conditions - outside these conditions they produce "wads" higher levels of pollutants. VAG merely did the same thing by a software patch.
Most of the protestations are what I term"holier than thou" as the other manufacturers produce just as much pollutants in real world conditions. What REALLY needs to be done is to have tests that are a reflection of the real world. Then, and only then, can proper comparisons be made.
Rant over!!!!!
I agree.
My hybrid Merc is sold with figures of 134mpg and 49 CO2s. It apparantly achieves this under test conditions by starting with a fully charged battery and not switching on the petrol until 2/3 of the way through the test.
To my mind this is no more valid than a VW which is set up to maximise it's test performance.
In the real world my M3W has given better mpg over 12,500 miles than I get with the Merc (32.5 mpg for the Mog, 31ish for the MB).
