Volkswagen Group to roll-out particulate filters for petrol-engined cars
A standard fitment on diesel cars, proven to reduce harmful NOx emissions, particulate filters will be fitted to petrol-engined Volkswagens from 2017, the company has announced. It claims that emissions of soot particles from direct injection petrol engines can be cut by up to 90 per cent. The ‘gasoline particulate filters’ (GPF) will be employed on Volkswagen Group cars powered by TSI and TFSI drivetrains.
The first model fitted with the new technology will be the 1.4-litre TSI derivative of the Tiguan*, due to arrive in June 2017. The Volkswagen Group predicts that up to 7 million vehicles could use the technology by 2022, which includes the new, sixth-generation Polo which will be introduced sometime next year and feature myriad turbocharged petrol and diesel engines.
‘Sustained reduction in emissions’
Dr Ulrich Eichhorn, Head of Group Research and Development said: ‘Following increases in efficiency and lower CO2 output, we are now bringing about a sustained reduction in the emission levels of our modern petrol engines by fitting particulate filters as standard.’
Even though exhaust gas treatment systems can be costly, diesel engine emissions will still be worked on, too, especially in light of the ‘Dieselgate’ crisis which was first discovered in September 2015. ‘In the future, all models will be equipped with the latest and most efficient Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) catalytic converter technology,’ stated Eichhorn.
Related to the recent announcement, independent testing body Emission Analytics rated the Volkswagen Group the cleanest performer in its EQUA Air Quality Index. Comparative measurements were used, and the Volkswagen Group was ranked first in three categories: EU 6 petrol engine, EU 5 petrol engine and EU 6 hybrid vehicles.
*Tiguan 1.4 TSI fuel consumption in l/100km: 6.9-5.7 (combined); CO2 emissions in g/km: 155-139 (combined); Efficiency class: C-B.
