Volkswagen is recalling 1,950 diesel vehicles in China to correct engine software the German car maker has admitted cheats on emissions tests.

The company said the recall applied to 1,946 Tiguan sport utility vehicles and four Passat B6 saloons, all of them imported. It said technical solutions were being developed and had yet to be submitted to Chinese authorities for approval.

VW has admitted installing software dubbed "defeat devices" on Volkswagen and Audi cars which switch on pollution controls when the vehicles undergo emissions tests, but switch off during driving to improve performance.

The manufacturer says a total of 11 million cars worldwide have the software.

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