Volkswagen says it has fix for Audi's six-cylinder diesel engines
Automaker says revision will fix issues related to emissions software installed on the luxury brand's six-cylinder diesel engines.
Audi's fix should be quick and easy, because it's a simple software update that requires no additional parts. Reflashes take roughly an hour at a dealership.
In a bit of good news for the Volkswagen Group, the beleaguered automaker says it has a solution to the emissions software issues associated with Audi's six-cylinder diesel engines in the US.
The beleaguered automaker said Monday it would revise the software in question and resubmit certifications that will let Audi, Porsche and Volkswagen sell its 3.0-liter diesels in the US once again. Sales of the cars were suspended by Volkswagen earlier this month after the automaker admitted to installing software on its four-cylinder diesels meant specifically to cheat carbon-dioxide emissions tests.
"Audi has agreed with the environmental authorities on further steps of cooperation in which the concrete measures to be taken will be specified," Audi said in a statement. "The company has committed to continue cooperating transparently and fully. The focus will be on finding quick, uncomplicated and customer-friendly solutions."
This issue affects several vehicles across three of Volkswagen's core brands, totaling some 85,000 vehicles on the road. Porsche's Cayenne Diesel and Volkswagen's Touareg both sport available six-cylinder diesels, as do several different passenger cars and crossovers in Audi's lineup, including the A6, A7, A8, Q5 and Q7. All these cars have been under a Volkswagen-imposed stop-sale order since November 4, which has been extended "until further notice."
Volkswagen has consistently defended the six-cylinder engine, claiming the software was of a different nature and not meant to game the system. However, it still failed to notify the US Environmental Protection Agency of the software and was thus in violation of the law.