Photo: Opel
Two months ago, the European division of General Motors came under fire after it had admitted to using defeat device software in the Zafira. Following an investigation, the German Federal Transport Authority has now cleared Opel of any iniquity.
First reported by German newspaper Bild am Sonntag in yesterday’s edition, the 2.0-liter CDTI turbo diesel engine in the Opel / Vauxhall Zafira multi-purpose vehicle has been approved as being perfectly OK. No defeat device to be found here, no defeat software whatsoever, no sort of trick designed to give the Zafira an advantage in fuel consumption or power to the detriment of emissions. Be that as it may, there’s a gray line in there, though.
Just like Opel had admitted in the month of May 2016, the 2.0 CDTI turbo diesel in the Zafira is equipped with software that switches off the exhaust treatment system under certain conditions. To be a little more specific, the software shuts down the system under certain air pressure conditions and under certain speeds to protect the engine.
Safeguarding the engine under these circumstances is perfectly OK according to the KBA and, for what it’s worth, it is legal according to European legislation. Other than the Zafira, the 2.0-liter turbo diesel powerplant is also used by the Insignia sedan and station wagon, as well as the Cascada convertible which is sold as a Buick in the United States of America.
Bild am Sonntag also reports that “IT expert Felix Domke, who had already criticized shortcomings in the Opel engine software at the end of 2015, checked the new software and confirmed the test results of the KBA.” The Transport Minister also promised that he’ll take vehicle type approval more seriously in the future. Why? If a second Dieselgate scandal were to happen, the KBA would address the issue in its infancy.
Just like Opel had admitted in the month of May 2016, the 2.0 CDTI turbo diesel in the Zafira is equipped with software that switches off the exhaust treatment system under certain conditions. To be a little more specific, the software shuts down the system under certain air pressure conditions and under certain speeds to protect the engine.
Safeguarding the engine under these circumstances is perfectly OK according to the KBA and, for what it’s worth, it is legal according to European legislation. Other than the Zafira, the 2.0-liter turbo diesel powerplant is also used by the Insignia sedan and station wagon, as well as the Cascada convertible which is sold as a Buick in the United States of America.
Bild am Sonntag also reports that “IT expert Felix Domke, who had already criticized shortcomings in the Opel engine software at the end of 2015, checked the new software and confirmed the test results of the KBA.” The Transport Minister also promised that he’ll take vehicle type approval more seriously in the future. Why? If a second Dieselgate scandal were to happen, the KBA would address the issue in its infancy.
Google News