Volkswagen Group Ireland has launched a website allowing owners to check if their cars are affected by the current scandal over software designed to cheat US emissions tests.

The website, www.campaigncheck.ie, is designed for Irish owners of diesel Volkswagen, Audi, Seat, Skoda and Volkswagen commercial vehicles to quickly check if their engine is one of the 79,348 due to be refitted with engine management software. They can do so by simply entering the registration of the vehicle.

The site features a statement from VW Group Ireland managing director Lars Himmer where he explains what happens next. “In October, Volkswagen Group will present the relevant technical solutions and measures to the responsible authorities. Volkswagen has repeatedly stated that it will actively inform all the customers who are concerned and this continues to apply over the coming weeks and months.”

The scandal arose after it VW admitted that it had fitted “defeat device” software to cheat on US emissions tests for nitrogen oxide (NOx). It has since emerged up to 11 million cars may have the software fitted, including nearly 80,000 cars sold in Ireland across all four of the firm’s brands. A further 30,000 privately imported used cars from the firm may also be on Irish roads and would also be due an engine software adjustment.

Engines investment

The latest development comes as reports in the New York Times claim disappointing results from a €1 billion new engine family forced the Volkswagen Group to cheat on its emissions tests.

It reports that Volkswagen engineers understood in 2008 that the EA189 engine family, developed over years and after significant investment, could not meet the US Environmental Protection Agency NOx emissions limits.

Instead of opting to re-engineer the 1.6- and 2.0-litre engines to meet the standards, it says Volkswagen managers decided on the “defeat” code software cheat instead.

It doesn’t say who made the decision to use the cheat code in the production cars.

The German Government has given VW until Wednesday to present a recall schedule and proof that it will reduce the EA189 emissions to legal standards.

It is believed that any recall on the 2.0-litre diesel engines affected will require a reflash of the software for the engine management computer. Sources at Volkswagen insist, however, that the 1.6-litre versions of the motor will require both software and additional hardware changes as part of the recall.

Volkswagen’s share price continues to tumble, losing 40 per cent of its pre-crisis value, trading at €93.52.