The Audi 3.0-liter engines were developed by Audi and are used in certain Audi and Porsche vehicles, as well as the VW Toureg.
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The announcement is surprising because the Wolfsburg-based auto maker flatly denied the EPA’s allegations earlier this month.
The good news is that Audi has submitted a potential software fix to remedy its 3.0 liter V6 engines found to be non-compliant with EPA regulations.
In November, the EPA and the California Air Resources Board also accused VW of evading emissions in at least 10,000 Audi, Porsche and VW sport utility vehicles and cars with 3.0-liter V-6 diesel engines. The German KBA has approved the proposed software fix for the 2-litre diesel engine and has given a general approval for software and hardware fixes proposed for the 1.6-liter diesel engine. The scandal also raises questions about consumer demand for diesel engines over the long-term, and if Volkswagen will be able to invest in the research and development needed to produce the next generation of electric and hybrid vehicles.
The USA agency alleges that the AECD permitted Audi to evade United States emissions controls. Audi of America has previously made a decision to stop the sales of A6 Quattro, A7 Quattro, A8, A8L and Q5 models from the 2013 to 2016 model years, company spokeswoman Jeri Ward said.
That said, Audi’s plan has yet to be approved by the EPA and CARB.
Chief Executive Matthias Mueller said in a statement: “We are operating in uncertain and volatile times and are responding to this”.
The vehicles affected by the inconsistencies in carbon dioxide emissions include the diesel variants of Volkswagen’s Polo, Golf and Passat models, as well as the subcompact A1 and the A3 hatchbacks of the Audi premium brand, Skoda Octavia, Seat Ibiza and Seat Leon.
Starting the European recall would be a step forward in resolving the crisis that’s engulfed Volkswagen since becoming public on September 18. That news led to the resignation of VW CEO Martin Winterkorn less than a week later as well as the disclosure by VW that as many as 11 million cars worldwide were affected.
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The 3.0-liter software at issue recognizes when vehicles are undergoing a US emissions test and in turn activates a “temperature conditioning” mode that turns on pollution-control equipment, according to the EPA.
