This vehicle was selected primarily to reduce CO₂ emissions and fuel consumption. Obviously, a fully electric vehicle would have been nice, but as the electricity generated to power it (here) would have come from dirty coal and is extremely expensive. So that choice made neither environmental nor economic sense.

According to both Volkswagen and the Australian government, this car had greenhouse gas emissions and fuel consumption comparable to a Prius.

It's also much less complicated, better looking and more fun to drive.

Until recently, the assumption was that the "forward thinking" Europeans wouldn't have so many diesel cars on their roads if it wasn't a smart choice. Apparently not: 20/20 hindsight.

It took longer than it should have, but Volkswagen Australia has finally confirmed that this vehicle is fitted with a "defeat device".

We still cannot believe Volkswagon would stoop to this level of idiocy. For those of us who trusted Volkswagen and tried to do the right thing for the environment - at significant cost - we feel angry and betrayed. Volkswagen will reap the consequences of this morally bankrupt act for many years to come. Shame on you Volkswagen.