[GoFaster]

The current P-D models meet US EPA Tier 2 bin 10. The NOx emissions are the limiting factor. By the way, the Mercedes E320CDI and the Canada-only Smart Fortwo CDI are also bin 10 vehicles.

Bins 9 and 10 were provisional (temporary) bins which were only in place during the phase-in of the Tier 2 limits, which started in 2004. These bins are no longer available as of the 2007 model year.

Since there has been no technically feasible method of meeting bin 8 or better using fuel containing the sulfur levels that are in current North American "low sulfur" diesel fuel, the current model cannot be sold for the 2007 model year or beyond.

After ALL "low sulfur" diesel fuel is gone from the marketplace and replaced with "ultra low sulfur" diesel fuel, THEN the manufacturer can certify a vehicle to the new standards IF they can find a way to do so, and it remains to be seen how much any necessary extra emissions hardware is going to cost. It may still happen that even if it is technically possible to meet the Tier 2 standards, it may cost so much that it is not worthwhile for the manufacturer to sell them.

CARB and EPA are behind this situation, not VW.

By the way, the previous 2.8 litre 24-valve VR6 engine is another casualty of this. It was certified to bin 9.