Fiat Might Also Be Cheating On Emissions Tests

Controversy is clearly the flavour of the season. As environmental norms get stricter by the day, authorities have been cracking the whip on the obvious targets – auto manufacturers. The fact that manufacturers have resorted to malpractice on multiple occasions to slide past regulations hasn't helped the case either. We are aware of Volkswagen's dieselgate scandal and the proposed buyback in the US, and one also knows how Mitsubishi fudged fuel efficiency ratings on their cars in Japan. 

Now it is Fiat's turn to be under the spotlight for possible 'cheating' on emission tests. Reports suggest that some Fiat vehicles have shown irregular levels of emissions, with diesel exhaust pollution levels shooting up after twenty-two minutes. Notably, the German emission tests last just twenty minutes. Simply put, it is possible that a timer software senses that the emission test cycle has completed, and throttles back the emission control features. 

The issue was first reported by German newspaper Bild am Sonntag. The weekly newspaper also went on to state that it was the German auto-component giant Bosch who tipped off the authorities regarding the irregularity, which came to light after German authorities tested a Fiat 500X that demonstrated the fluctuating emissions. The Italian automaker had come under the scanner in February this year as well, when an independent report suggested that the 500X emitted up to twenty times more once the engine was warm. At the time, Fiat denied the report after an internal review showed compliance with regulations. 

While we wait for an official word from Fiat regarding the issue, do let us know your thoughts on the matter through the comments section below.