PoloDriver

Volkswagen India has today recalled 3,877 Vento TDI models due to ‘inconsistent emission issues’. All models affected feature manual gearboxes and the company’s recently-developed 103bhp four-cylinder 1.5-litre TDI engine. Variable carbon monoxide emissions are reported to have exceeded limits during conformity of production tests conducted by the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI). There are no suspected links to the ongoing EA189-engine ‘dieselgate’ issue.

Temporarily suspended sales
Volkswagen India has also temporarily suspended sales of the 1.5 TDI manual Vento while the issue is investigated. The company will propose technical measures to ARAI as soon as it can. Once these measures have been approved by the relevant authorities, production and sales of the affected models will continue. Customer cars which have already been sold will be recalled and also have the remedial measures fitted.

Volkswagen India is keen to stress that only 1.5-litre TDI cars with a manual gearbox are affected, and that production and sales of all other Vento (including 1.5 TDI DSG variants) and Polo models will remain on sale and continue in production. In echoes of the ‘dieselgate’ issue, the manufacturer has also reassured drivers of the affected cars that their vehicles remain safe and roadworthy. The revised Volkswagen Vento was launched in the summer of 2015, and is a booted version of the fifth-generation Polo.