Shares in German auto giant Volkswagen closed down 9.5 percent down Wednesday as the pollution cheating scandal engulfing the group widened beyond diesel engines to include petrol motors.

Revelations that 800,000 vehicles had been hit by the carbon emissions problem sent the stock slumping to close at 100.45 euros, weighing down the DAX which ended the day 0.97 percent off at 10,845.24 points.