French emissions probe: Renault, Ford, Mercedes have some explaining

Renault executives will meet with technical experts representing the French government to explain why the Captur SUV and two other diesel models have NOx emissions far higher than legal limits, a French newspaper has reported.

As well as the French car-maker which has already been cleared of any fraudulent activity, both Ford and Mercedes-Benz have also been dragged into the emissions probe following the Blue Oval’s C-Max SUV and some luxurious S-Class sedans were also found to have emissions that exceeded legal limits, says Les Echos newspaper.

According to the newspaper, the Renault models were the worst offenders, something the French government is particularly concerned about since the Captur is a relatively new model and has 'clean diesel' technology to help it meet strict Euro 6 emissions.

According to the newspaper, one source suspected the Captur tested could have suffered a technical problem, so high were its emissions.

Worryingly for Ford, its C-Max, meanwhile, was found to produce emissions five times more than the allowable limit, while Mercedes-Benz' S350 CDI was said to deliver "inconsistent results".

Les Echos says each vehicle tested by the emission probe investigators was subjected to three tests - the standard New European Driving Cycle (NEDC) laboratory examination used to establish whether vehicles meet EU limits, plus a road test that is not currently part of the official EU procedure. Finally, the vehicles were tested to check whether or not it had a defeat device.

Investigators have so far tested 22 out of the 100 vehicles it plans to examine.

Renault was reported to have met with the investigators late last night our time to try to explain the Captur’s failure in the tests.

Ford and Mercedes, meanwhile, have been asked to also meet with the investigators to explain the findings.

Following the results being published, a spokesman from Ford said all its vehicles and engines met the current French and European emission regulations carried out in laboratories but added: "Unofficial on-road testing has varying conditions and can produce significantly different results".

The Ford spokesman also said it supported the change to real-world testing and, echoing Renault, said "we do not have any so-called defeat devices in our vehicles".