The agency initially focused on the company’s smaller 2.0-liter four-cylinder mill that sparked the fiasco. A follow-up investigation into the larger V6 initially found emissions discrepancies in the 2014-2016 model years, however investigators are now looking back to 2009 models for both engine sizes.
“During a meeting yesterday, VW and Audi officials … told EPA and CARB that the issues raised in the In-Use Compliance letter extend to all 3.0 liter diesel engines from model years 2009 through 2016,” the California Air Resources Board said in a statement. “Based on this information, EPA and CARB will continue to investigate and take all appropriate action under their respective authorities.”
The estimated number of potentially offending V6 vehicles on US roads has consequently jumped from 10,000 to 85,000, marking a nearly ten-fold increase. Models affected could include certain Audi A7, A8 and A8L sedans, along with the Q5, Q7, VW Touareg and Porsche Cayenne crossovers.
The company earlier this month denied allegations of a ‘defeat’ system in the larger Audi-engineered powerplant, claiming “no software has been installed in the 3-liter V6 diesel power units to alter emissions characteristics in a forbidden manner.” The statement acknowledged that an unspecified software function “had not been adequately described” in the EPA certification process.
The latest report suggests the non-compliance will require corrective action, rather than paperwork clarification. The company has admitted that hardware refits are under consideration to fix some models, though the four-cylinder engines are expected to require the costliest modifications. A urea-injection system, which significantly slashes nitrogen oxide emissions, came standard with the higher-end V6-powered nameplates but was omitted from most of the less-expensive four-cylinder models, reportedly due to cost considerations.
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