Audi was dragged into the larger controversy surrounding its parent company, Volkswagen, when it was discovered that some of the auxilary emission control devices (AECDs) on its diesel engines were not properly described in the applications submitted for US approval when the engines were developed. Which sounds like they’re splitting hairs. In total, there are more than 85,000 cars from the model year 2009 through 2016 equipped with the rigged diesel engine installed on large Audi, Porsche, and Volkswagen models.
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Business Insider reports that VW has admitted to the EPA and the California Air Resources Board that an additional 85 000 vehicles, on top of the already documented 482 000 cars, have been fitted with cheat software to rig emissions tests. Which does seem barking.
The EPA alleged that the engine’s control software was able to detect an emissions test and enter a “temperature conditioning” mode that limited the output of NOx. Audi said Monday that it would install updated software in about 10,000 vehicles that the EPA said were also programmed to deceive regulators.
Volkswagen says three devices were not declared in documentation, with one device relating to the temperature of the conditioning of the exhaust-gas cleaning system. It also powers the Porsche Cayenne and Volkswagen’s Touareg off-roader. Audi remained silent. Only Porsche seemed contrite, issuing a brief statement that said: “We are surprised to learn this information”. VW first denied the findings.
Audi expects the software update for the affected vehicles to reach into the “mid-double-digit millions of euros” in cost.
Volkswagen confirmed that it met with regulators to address emissions violations with the company’s 2.0-liter diesel vehicles.
“The most unfortunate aspect of this whole situation for Volkswagen is they have to start the healing process and the repairing process for their brand, and you can’t do that while the scandal is still growing”, Kelley Blue Book analyst Karl Brauer said. While a violation under United States law, the software complies with laws in Europe, she said.
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“We are not going to make the mistake of economizing on our future”, he said, noting that the automaker will still direct money towards developing new technologies and will continue with joint-venture plans in China.
