Volkswagen says the aim is to implement the required technical update in the first vehicles during a recall from January 2016.
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The engine was designed and put together by Audi at its factory in Neckarsulm, Germany, and has been widely used in VW, Audi and Porsche cars since 2009. The news comes a day after California widened its probe and asked the German automaker to submit a recall plan in 45 days.
“We fully intend to work on solutions to present to regulators within this window of time”. In an emailed statement Wednesday, Audi said it expected the regulatory action and took the matter very seriously.
A Volkswagen Korea spokesman could not be immediately reached for comment.
Meanwhile, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said the agency is weighing possible enforcement options against Volkswagen related to the three-liter diesel-engine vehicles and continues to investigate the matter.
In a press release on Wednesday morning, Volkswagen detailed its preliminary plans to fix the emissions of both its 1.6- and 2.0-liter diesel models in Europe. “Therefore we cooperate with the authorities transparently and openly”.
One of the world’s biggest carmakers, Volkswagen has admitted that up to 11 million diesel cars worldwide are fitted with devices that can switch on pollution controls when they detect it is undergoing testing. The company is still developing a fix for 1.2-liter, 3-cylinder engines and will propose that adjustment later this month. The newer 2.0-liter engines only require a software update.
The latest software issue on VW cars focuses on the recovery of energy, which can be used to recharge auto batteries – an essential component that keeps the vehicle’s lights and air-conditioning or heating running.
The carmaker also claims that the objective for the development of the technical measures is to achieve legal emissions targets without any adverse effects on the engine output, fuel consumption and performance.
The investigation of Audi adds another layer of uncertainty, however.
Audi has suspended two engineers after its larger diesel engines were found evading emissions limits in the United States, CEO Stadler told the Donaukurier regional newspaper in an interview published earlier on Thursday.
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The fine was announced as a punishment on the basis of Volkswagen cheating emissions tests.
