tl;dr: a late 90s diesel light-truck engine puts out about the same levels of NOx, far from unprecedented.<p>--------------<p>One of the main violations is NOx emissions. Current EPA standards are 0.043g&#x2F;km. The TDI engines tested under real world conditions at 0.61g&#x2F;km - 1.5g&#x2F;km.[1]<p>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&#x2F;hr to ~355g&#x2F;hr.<p>Comparing that to the VW output, lets take an average speed of 100km&#x2F;hr so the VW is pumping out between 61g&#x2F;hr and 150g&#x2F;hr of NOX. Likely closer to the 61g&#x2F;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.<p>Far from &#x27;unprecedented,&#x27; though clearly in violation of EPA regulations.<p>Sorry for citing wikipedia. It&#x27;s late and I&#x27;m tired. Source 63 is the one you want.<p>[1] <a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;en.wikipedia.org&#x2F;wiki&#x2F;Volkswagen_emissions_scandal" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;en.wikipedia.org&#x2F;wiki&#x2F;Volkswagen_emissions_scandal</a><p>[2] <a href="http:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.dtic.mil&#x2F;get-tr-doc&#x2F;pdf?AD=ADA449196" rel="nofollow">http:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.dtic.mil&#x2F;get-tr-doc&#x2F;pdf?AD=ADA449196</a> (PDF, &quot;EMISSIONS FROM A 6.5L HMMWV ENGINE ON
LOW SULFUR DIESEL FUEL AND JP-8&quot;)