What's the news?
Well, this is a bit of a shock. Emissions Analytics, a company formed specifically to try and gauge real-world emissions and consumption data for cars, as just released its first set of findings and rankings for a broad swathe of diesel-engined models. Rather like an NCAP test for your emissions, the ratings are designed to be simple to understand and potentially could away new car buyers if they're at all bothered about their environmental impact.
Launching the new EQUA rating, Emissions Analytics told us that: "the EQUA Air Quality Index is intended to complement the forthcoming regulations for new vehicle certification, by monitoring vehicle performance when driven normally on roads; in effect keeping a watchful eye on the effectiveness of the new regulations."
And guess which manufacturer has come out best in these new, independent tests? Go on, guess...
Yup, Volkswagen.
The Audi A5, Skoda Superb, Volkswagen Passat and the Scirocco coupe all got a top Band A rating from EQUA, which means that they performed at or close to their quoted levels of Nitrogen Oxide emissions in the test.
BMW's 3 Series also got an A-grade, as did pretty much any current Euro6-regulations-compatible car with a hybrid transmission. Some petrol models did very well too, with the exception of the three-cylinder Ford Focus which got a E-grade rating.
Cars getting an A-rating are good enough to exceed all current regulations, B-rated cars are good up to 2021 but C-grade is only good through to the end of 2019.
The worst though were those down in H-grade, which means they were emitting as much as 12-times the legislated limit of NoX. Those included the Fiat 500x 1.6 diesel, the Ssangyong Korando and the 2013 model year Audi A8.
Nick Molden, CEO and founder of Emissions Analytics, said: "There's a great deal of confusion among car buyers on the subject of pollutant emissions, but we're able to deliver impartial and precise information to help them buy better. We're also looking forward to working with the industry as a whole to highlight the best vehicles available."
All of the tests were conducted on cars with low mileage (less than 8,000km) and using the same equipment which the EU will begin using in its Real-world Driving Emissions test (RDE) in 2017.