More Volkswagen diesel cars embroiled in emissions scandal

Porsche, Audi and VW cars also now subject of allegations from the US Environmental Protection Agency over emissions tests

Further Volkswagen diesel models — including Porsche, Audi and VW brands — have become embroiled in the emissions testing scandal facing the car giant following fresh allegations from the United States’ Environmental Protection Agency yesterday (November 2).

The EPA has announced fresh allegations of defeat devices in Volkswagen cars in the US

The EPA has now issued a second notice of violation (NOV) against the German carmaker alleging that Volkswagen developed and installed a ‘defeat device’ in certain VW, Audi and Porsche light duty diesel vehicles with 3 litre engines for model years 2014-2016 in the US.

Covering approximately 10,000 vehicles already sold in the US since 2014 as well as “an unknown volume of 2016 vehicles” the NOV alleges that these defeat devices increase emissions of nitrogen oxide (NOx) “up to nine times EPA’s standard”.

Volkswagen diesel car models in the US affected by the latest allegations include:

– 2014 VW Touareg
– 2015 Porsche Cayenne
– 2016 Audi A6 Quattro, A7 Quattro, A8, A8L, and Q5

According to the EPA, Volkswagen software on these vehicles includes one or more auxiliary emission control devices that the company “failed to disclose, describe and justify in their applications for certificate of conformity for each model”.

Every car manufacturer must apply to EPA for and be approved for a certificate of conformity for each model, each year, otherwise it is illegal to introduce cars into commerce.

EPA describes an auxiliary emission control device designed to circumvent emissions tests as a ‘defeat device’.

Volkswagen

However, Volkswagen Group denies any suggestion that it installed software deliberately designed to manipulate emissions tests in the aforementioned vehicle models.

In a statement also released yesterday, the firm said: “Volkswagen AG wishes to emphasise that no software has been installed in the 3-litre V6 diesel power units to alter emissions characteristics in a forbidden manner.”

Instead, the company explained that the EPA had informed Volkswagen that “vehicles with V6 TDI engines had a software function which had not been adequately described in the application process”.

The statement concluded: “Volkswagen will cooperate fully with the EPA clarify this matter in its entirety.”

The EPA’s latest allegations come in addition to those it made in September which first brought the VW emissions testing scandal to worldwide attention, and has since seen share prices in the company plummet and a number of its affected cars recalled around the world.