tl;dr: a late 90s diesel light-truck engine puts out about the same levels of NOx, far from unprecedented. -------------- One of the main violations is NOx em

tl;dr: a late 90s diesel light-truck engine puts out about the same levels of NOx, far from unprecedented. -------------- One of the main violations is NOx emissions. Current EPA standards are 0.043g/km. The TDI engines tested under real world conditions at 0.61g/km - 1.5g/km.[1] A quick google brought me to some testing in 2004[2] of a 6.5l diesel engine typically used in the military version of the Humvee and most Chevrolet light-duty trucks from around 1994 to 2001. The testing shows NOx output levels between ~55g/hr to ~355g/hr. Comparing that to the VW output, lets take an average speed of 100km/hr so the VW is pumping out between 61g/hr and 150g/hr of NOX. Likely closer to the 61g/hr as most of the engine power is used during acceleration. Yes, a 6.5L is more than 3x the displacement of the 2.0L CBEA engine, however, the power output is only about 30% higher. Far from 'unprecedented,' though clearly in violation of EPA regulations. Sorry for citing wikipedia. It's late and I'm tired. Source 63 is the one you want. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volkswagen_emissions_scandal https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volkswagen_emissions_scandal [2] http://www.dtic.mil/get-tr-doc/pdf?AD=ADA449196 http://www.dtic.mil/get-tr-doc/pdf?AD=ADA449196 (PDF, "EMISSIONS FROM A 6.5L HMMWV ENGINE ON LOW SULFUR DIESEL FUEL AND JP-8")