Unapproved Emission Software Found in Volkswagen Audi Engines by U.S. Authorities

Audi Q7
Source: audiusa.com

U.S. Authorities have found out that Volkswagen’s Audi unit has been using three unapproved emission control system software in the company’s 3.0 diesel engines.

United States authorities have made a major discovery as they have found out that global car maker Volkswagen has been using three unapproved software programs in their Audi unit. The software is used in the 3.0 diesel engines.

Unapproved Software

The unapproved software allows the Turbocharged Direct Injection engines to shut down emission control systems after around 22 minutes. These engines are used in Volkswagen Touareg, Audi Q7, and Porsche Cayenne. This is a method to cheat the authorities, for official emission measure methods continue for about 20 minutes. This means that the unapproved software lets the TDI to shut down the emission control system a couple of minutes after the testing ends, helping the company pass through the test as well as save up on costs due to the reduction in operation of a software.

Volkswagen, though, has come clean and admitted that it has been cheating United States authorities for years. They also said that they would spend about $15.3 billion in buying back such vehicles from users. Volkswagen also said it would fund those who make cleaner technology.

Tussle With Authorities

Although Volkswagen has agreed to spend such a huge amount in make amends for past mistakes, the compensation does not include the 85,000 3.0 liter engines that use unapproved software to emit lesser pollution than the 2.0 liter engines. When it comes to that, there has been no agreement yet.

Managers from Audi are due to appear in front of United Stated Environmental Authorities on August 10. It is believed that Audi is preparing itself to face a hefty penalty for its wrongdoings. As for making a public statement, Audi spokesmen declined to make any comment on the issue but only said that the company was looking into a technical solution to the problem in conjunction with U.S authorities.

This is another black eye for Volkswagen after their Dieselgate scandal. That scandal had dearly cost the car maker company in terms of reputation as well as funds, with the company facing criminal charges in many countries to this day.