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Aussie Volkswagen owners report poorer fuel efficiency after "dieselgate" fix

Xinhua, April 6, 2017 Adjust font size:

Australian Volkswagen drivers have been reporting poorer fuel efficiency in cars affected by the company's diesel emissions cheating scandal, with a class action lawsuit building against the German manufacturer.

Following 2015's revelation that VolksWagen used software to cheat in emissions tests, the company ordered a recall of affected vehicles for a software upgrade to correct the issues, but drivers have reported fuel efficiency woes after being given the upgrade.

More than 100 drivers have reportedly been in contact with Australian law firms after they found their fuel efficiency numbers dropped dramatically after having the software installed.

David Ellingworth, who drives a Volkswagen Amarok ute, told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) that fuel economy had "dropped right down."

"I used to fill up the tank once a month, now after the Volkswagen fix I'm filling up every two-and-a-half to three weeks," Ellingworth said.

"I am angry that the vehicle I purchased for a particular purpose is not giving me what I want, it annoys me because I can see more money coming out of my hip pocket which Volkswagen should be compensating me for."

Pat Grbevska, owner of a Volkswagen Passat affected by the scandal, said her vehicle had not been the same since the software upgrade.

"The fuel efficiency has decreased by 150 to 200 kilometers per diesel tank," she said.

"The engine sounds like it is rattling, it is very noisy... the automatic gear changes are loud and noisy and the engine seems to overheat more often than it did."

Currently, the software upgrade is the only form of compensation offered to Australian owners of affected diesel Volkswagen vehicles, but law firms are reporting that a class action law suit could follow, with some firms being "inundated" by complaints.

Jason Geisker from Maurice Blackburn lawyers said at least 100 owners had contacted his firm.

"We've been inundated with calls about concerns our clients have with the fix, a lot of the concerns relate to increased fuel usage," he told the ABC.

Despite the volume of complaints, Volkswagen Australia has dismissed the fuel efficiency claims.

"Independent testing has shown that the upgrade has no negative effect on fuel consumption," a spokesperson told the ABC. Endit