Lawyers launch new emissions claim against Porsche

Law firm Leigh Day has launched a new claim campaign against Porsche following accusations that vehicles have been fitted with cheat devices that allow them to pass regulatory emissions tests.

Following on from an ongoing group action against the Volkswagen Group, the law firm is now investigating a second group claim for alleged nitrogen oxide (NOX) emissions cheating, this time including Porsche and Audi brand vehicles. 

The new allegations affect some Porsche Cayenne, Panamera and Macan diesel vehicles fitted with EA897, EA898 and 4.2l V8 engines.

It is also believed that some 3.0l V6 and 4.2l V8 Audi diesel vehicles, as well as some Volkswagen, Volkswagen Commercial, SEAT and Skoda diesel vehicles fitted with EA288 and EA897, are affected.

Investigations into the vehicles eligible to be included as part of the new claim are ongoing, but it is believed that in the region of 300,000 vehicles may be eligible to join the new group action.

It is alleged that the affected vehicles contain devices that turn off or turn down the vehicles’ emissions control systems from the settings used to pass regulatory emissions tests, resulting in the vehicles having emissions within regulation limits in those test conditions but with higher than permitted nitrogen oxide (NOX) emissions when being driven on the road.

Leigh Day is acting for affected vehicle owners on a no-win, no-fee basis. The firm has also obtained insurance to protect claimants from having to pay the defendants’ costs if the claim is unsuccessful.

Leigh Day solicitor Shazia Yamin is leading the new claim. She said: ‘The group claim we are investigating relates to newer and larger models of diesel vehicles manufactured by the Volkswagen Group and includes Porsche, Audi, Volkswagen, Volkswagen commercial, as well as some SEAT and Skoda brand vehicles.

‘This is the second group claim against the Volkswagen Group, and one of several emissions cases being investigated by Leigh Day. Emissions tests are there to serve a very important purpose: evidence shows NOx emissions are seriously harmful to human health and the environment. The allegation that manufacturers would deliberately cheat such tests and in doing so pollute our air with unlawful levels of NOx is incredibly serious and has implications not just for our clients but for everyone in the UK.

‘We urge anyone who believes they may have a claim to go to the Leigh Day website and complete the form to check if they are eligible.’