Only Half Of VW's Model Line-Up Has Been Approved For Sale Under New Regulations

Just seven of VW's 14 model lines have been given type approval under the tough new WLTP certification

03 Sep 2018

The new Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicle Test Procedure is giving car manufacturers something of a headache. The new, more stringent emissions test for Europe has led to manufacturers killing off many higher-performance vehicles, while others have been taken off sale and put back on again with less power, but more seriously for car makers, it’s not proving easy for more normal cars either.

Autocar reports that half of its 14 European model lines haven’t been given type approval under the new regulations, which came into force on 1 September. The Golf is among the cars that don’t have full approval, leading to an increase in customer delivery times of anything from 6-10 weeks. Not exactly ideal considering how many of the C-segment hatchbacks VW sells.

Thomas Zahn, VW’s head of sales and marketing for Germany, said: “The new tests are more cumbersome and take two to three times longer than in the past. Even limited edition models need to be tested separately…The coming months will be challenging for us.”

It was reported a few weeks ago that VW had rented thousands of parking spaces for cars it cannot legally sell post-WLTP while it searches for an appropriate solution.

Growing up on a diet of World Rally Championship highlights and lengthy Gran Turismo 2 sessions, a life in cars was as good as inevitable for Matt.

Comments

Mazda be like:

Not only at VW…

This. This is why I shall move to Texas, USA. No f#cks are given about the environment out there. You guys happily roam in your V8 trucks. I shall eventually join you in a V8 German automobile.

Come to Florida. We have nicer beaches and even less regulation!

Plus you’d fit in with the AMGs and Maybachs of Miami much better than with the trucks of Texas (don’t worry we got trucks too)

Yeah. Because who doesn’t like ruining the world we live in for future generations

Yeah buddy nope.

I’m all for Big engines and stuff, but some regulations do need to happern.
And roaming in big coal running V8 trucks is DEFINITELY not a good idea.
Also fu ck the US government for repealing the emission laws.

D A M N . . .

smug American intensifies

No, our standards are actually strict as well for sedans, wagons, hatchbacks, and coupes, but if you have a truck or SUV you can basically get away with murder.

tfw I live in California :( wish I could throw these hypocritical politicians off the golden state bridge

Im starting to get annoyed by this im currently trying to order a octavia vrs but cant order it until end of September. Actually you should have been able to order one last week but that deadline got delayed if they dont manage to get it out by end of September im going to buy a hyundai i30n

I wouldnt get your hopes up with the i30n either. They have taken the configurator down from their website and a mechanic friend of mine said the dealer he works in has stopped taking orders.

You still can buy a slightly used example.

Ehh. RIP Norwegian car buyers. Our stupid government has a billion taxes for cars, and it will get MUCH worse now. F*ck this country. 17.5kr per liter (6.16 British pounds per British gallon or 8 USD per us gallon). Life is hard with a 5.7 L v8.