[phkn1]

In particular, this summary graphic is telling:

http://img3.auto-motor-und-sport.de/Abgastest-Wertung-fotosh... (blurry, sorry)

At the top of the NOx scale we have a VW TDI engine (albeit in an Audi Quatro application).

Near the bottom of the NOx scale we have... a VW TDI engine.

In other words, VW already had the capability to eliminate the emissions through design, but chose to cheat the tests instead. That is rather damning evidence, and serves as a rebuttal for those who think that VW is somehow being unfairly targeted.

Clearly, many other companies also need to lower their emissions, and regulators need to adopt meaningful tests. But to cheat the tests that do exist, and for no clear need (except possibly profit margins) is inexcusable.

[jacquesm]

What was at stake was to be able to sell into the US at all. For VW that may have been 'worth the risk', I think retrospectively they're happy to agree that it probably wasn't.