Volkswagen headquarters bets again on the oil scandal

Prosecutors said investigators were aimed at confiscating documents. Volkswagen, who admitted in 2015 that he cheated US emissions tests on oil engines, said he was fully co-operating with authorities, but viewed the investigation as unfounded.

Volkswagen said the raids were linked to an investigation into oil cars with the EA type 288 engine, a subsequent model of EA 189, which was at the heart of the test fraud scandal.

Automotive producer said he had discovered the issue on his own at the centre of the new investigation which is targeting individual employees to the relevant registration authorities.

In simulations, vehicles with the EA 288 engine showed no failure to filter with oil, while still in line with downloading limits, Volkswagen said, adding that the engine did not have an illegal device.

News in 2015 that Volkswagen had used such equipment to cheat emissions tests has cost the company up to 30 billion euros (33 billion dollars) in fines, vehicles and legal expenses, and also caused a global reaction against oil vehicles.

Volkswagen said when the scandal broke out, about 11 million vehicles worldwide were equipped with illegal software.