Given the cars that are affected are on the lowest end of VW's and Audi's lineups, you can safely assume these owners don't have/won't spend significant amounts

Given the cars that are affected are on the lowest end of VW's and Audi's lineups, you can safely assume these owners don't have/won't spend significant amounts of personal wealth to sue VW. They'll likely accept a voucher for $500-1000 and a "sorry" and be on their way. They really don't have much legal pull even in a class action lawsuit which will likely be less $ than VW made in profits on the overestimated power and mileage numbers. Furthermore, the owner of the 2009 Jetta TDI will have less bargaining room than the owner of the 2014 Audi A3 taking into consideration the price, age, mileage and status of the vehicle. I wouldn't be surprised if VW argue the older vehicles (say 2009-2012) benefited from the software more than the 2013+ vehicles and thus are entitled to even LESS compensation. "That's a bold strategy. Let's see how it plays out." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Ru8DMW-grY https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Ru8DMW-grY