Daimler's diesel emissions may include 60,000 more cars

The software's functionality seems to have been the same. GLK will reduce nitrogen oxide emissions during government tests, but allow them to increase beyond legal limits in real life conditions.

Daimler said it would "fully co-operate" with regulators and "review the facts". There is little doubt that this looks bad for the car manufacturer, though. In addition to putting Daimler on the hook for a major recall, it suggests that the company not reveal the full scope of its emission practices in time. This will not confuse the EU's concerns that German brands conspire on emission technology.