Following an internal investigation, the Group said it believes 800,000 vehicles could feature higher fuel consumption and CO2 emissions than the published figures achieved during type approval.

In total for the 2016 model year approx. 430,000 vehicles are affected across the Group. A spokesperson for Volkswagen in the UK confirmed there is no breakdown of numbers for the UK at the minute. There is also no indication of how large the discrepancy is.

So far, Volkswagen Group has confirmed 1.4, 1.6 and 2.0-litre diesel engines with power outputs from 75bhp to 237bhp are affected, as well as 1.0, 1.2, 1.4, 1.8 and 2.0-litre turbocharged petrols. However, not all vehicles fitted with these engines are on the list.

Affected models named so far are the Audi A1, SEAT Ibiza and Leon, Skoda Fabia, Rapid, Yeti, Octavia and Superb, and Volkswagen Polo, Tiguan, Jetta, Scirocco, Golf, Golf Cabriolet, Golf SV, Touran, CC and Passat. The Volkswagen Caddy and T6 Transporter are also included, with the 75bhp and 100bhp 2.0-litre TDI engines. 

Unlike the NOx emission scandal, which concerned previous-generation diesel engines, this affects the latest Euro 6 diesels as well as petrol models for the first time. It's unclear whether further vehicles from previous model years are affected – if so, these could be announced in the coming weeks. 

The group added that it had notified the relevant authorities of the latest findings along with its importers and trading partners. It also said that it is already in dialogue with the respective countries' financial and fiscal authorities so that all taxes arising in direct relation to the CO2 issue are charged straight to the Volkswagen Group and not to the customers.