VW News: As the Diesel Emits: Volkswagen Accused Of Using Illegal Software In 3.0L TDI V6 (UPDATE)

[William Maley]

The sh*t is hitting the fan. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and California Air Resources Board (CARB) announced today that Volkswagen had illegal 'defeat device' software installed on a number of their vehicles equipped with the 3.0L TDI V6 to evade diesel emission testing. The two parties say the software allowed the TDI engine to emit nine times the legally allowable pollution limit.

 

Vehicles involved in this latest allegation include,

• 2014 Volkswagen Toureg TDI
• 2015 Porsche Cayenne Diesel
• 2016 Audi A6 TDI, A7 TDI, A8 TDI, A8L TDI, Q5 TDI
  

“VW has once again failed its obligation to comply with the law that protects clean air for all Americans. All companies should be playing by the same rules. EPA, with our state and federal partners, will continue to investigate these serious matters, to secure the benefits of the Clean Air Act, ensure a level playing field for responsible businesses, and to ensure consumers get the environmental performance they expect,” said Cynthia Giles, assistant administrator of the Office for EPA’s Enforcement and Compliance Assurance.

 

Source: The Detroit News

 

UPDATE: Volkswagen has issued a statement on the EPA's announcement.

 

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) informed Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft on Monday that vehicles with V6 TDI engines had a software function which had not been adequately described in the application process. Volkswagen AG wishes to emphasize that no software has been installed in the 3-liter V6 diesel power units to alter emissions characteristics in a forbidden manner.

 

Volkswagen will cooperate fully with the EPA clarify this matter in its entirety.

 

EPA's Notice of Violation is below.

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[El Kabong]

Astonishing.

It wasn't just one engine. Their entire diesel program was predicated on cheating. And it was allowed to go into Audis and Porsches!

[Drew Dowdell]

[G. David Felt]

Ugly

[El Kabong]

I guess the next question I'll ask someone in the know: did the V6 use urea?

Edited November 2, 2015 by El Kabong

[Drew Dowdell]

I guess the next question I'll ask someone in the know: did the V6 use urea?

 

Yes, they use AdBlue

[William Maley]

Just updated the story with a statement from Volkswagen.

[smk4565]

Pretty pathetic that Audi and Porsche were doing this also.  Audi and Porsche claim to have such outstanding engineers, you'd think they could have designed an engine that could legally meet emissions requirements in a cost effective way.   Interesting that Audi was pushing diesel as the future, as Mercedes is going to plug-in hybrid, and Mercedes was historically the biggest proponent of diesels. 

 

I hope VW group takes a big hit over all of this.  The one sad thing is diesel engines in general will probably get a real bad reputation, and that is a shame because the diesel technology (done the right way) is pretty good. 

[G. David Felt]

This will not stop people using Diesel for trucks and SUVs for hauling weight and trailers. In regards to Diesel cars I expect to see these decline as Hybrid auto's will replace them. VW's lies have led to a world that will turn against diesels I believe.

[daves87rs]

Just scary.....

[Drew Dowdell]

As long as the other manufacturer's noses are clean, diesel will be fine. 

[oldshurst442]

http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/cars/2015/11/03/vw-emissions-irregularities-gas-mileage-fuel-economy/75101432/

 

 

Even a gasoline engine is been said to have cheat status...an engine that is not available in the U.S...the 1.4 liter 4 cylinder...

 

 

OMG...

 

And Porsche just announced that it voluntarily will cease to sell the diesel Cayenne.

Over at Audi...its business as usual...for now.

[G. David Felt]

http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/cars/2015/11/03/vw-emissions-irregularities-gas-mileage-fuel-economy/75101432/

 

 

Even a gasoline engine is been said to have cheat status...an engine that is not available in the U.S...the 1.4 liter 4 cylinder...

 

 

OMG...

 

And Porsche just announced that it voluntarily will cease to sell the diesel Cayenne.

Over at Audi...its business as usual...for now.

Still early as the more they dig into this the more products will be halted till they are corrected. I expect this to end up costing the VW empire double the 6.7 billion they set aside and could go even higher by the time legal fines are done.