Volkswagen has announced a solution to the EA189 engines using the emission rigging software in Europe.
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For the 2.0 TDI engines, it only needs a software update, the company says.
The V6 diesel engine was designed and assembled by Audi at its factory in Neckarsulm, Germany, and widely used in premium models sold by the group’s VW, Audi and Porsche brands in model years 2009 through 2016, Audi said.
The revelation follows a similar disclosure by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in September that Volkswagen deceived diesel emissions testers for years and later falsely claimed technical problems when challenged.
Audi, however, in an emailed statement said it took the matter very seriously.
Volkswagen confirmed that it met with regulators to address emissions violations with the company’s 2.0-liter diesel vehicles.
The ABC reported that Charles Bannister, representing many owners, said the company had no defence and should admit liability.
The investigation of Audi adds another layer of uncertainty, however. The board’s action was “the result of an admission by officials at Audi A.G., manufacturer of all the engines involved, that the vehicles contain three undisclosed auxiliary emissions control devices”, the agency said, in a letter sent to Volkswagen.
The affected cars were mostly those sold in South Korea between 2008 and 2015, and included models like Volkswagen’s Tiguan and Beetle and the Audi Q5, Q3 and A4. One of those investigations concerns the rigged diesel engines, while the other centers on the understating of carbon-dioxide emissions.
Automotive experts say switching off the emissions controls helps the cars with fuel mileage and performance.
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So-called “defeat device” software limits emissions when the vehicle undergoes statutory tests, disguising excessive amounts of the exhaust gas nitrogen oxide under normal driving conditions. They include Hyundai Motor, Kia Motors, GM Korea, Renault Samsung Motors Co., Ssangyong Motor, BMW, Mercedes-Benz Korea, Porsche, Jaguar Land Rover Korea, Volvo, Peugeot, FCA Korea, Ford, FMK and Nissan.
