US Authorities Discover Unapproved Software In VW's 3.0-litre TDI Engines

Volkswagen's continued struggle with the aftermath of its emissions scandal may add another subject matter to the list, or so it seems. Welt am Sonntag, a German newspaper, reported that US authorities have identified 3 unapproved software programs in the group's 3.0-litre TDI diesel engines. The aforementioned programs allow the engine to turn off emissions control systems after 22 minutes. The German weekly noted that emission test cycles usually last 20 minutes.

Audi Q7

These 3.0-litre turbocharged diesel engines, made by Audi, are found on the Volkswagen Touareg, Porsche Cayenne, and Audi Q7. With that said, these engines have been under scrutiny since November 2015. Interestingly, while sales of the affected models were stopped, the automaker asserted that it had nothing to do with the 'defeat device' found in Volkswagen AG's models with the 2.0-litre TDI engine. Volkswagen later described them as part of a catalyst "warmup strategy" that uses software to curtail emissions systems while the diesel engine is cold - a procedure authorized by German rules.

Porsche Cayenne

This issue with the 3.0-litre engine, which affects nearly 85,000 cars in the US, was not a component of VW's USD 15 billion settlement agreement with the country's authorities. Interestingly, the German automaker's proposed solution for the 3.0-litred TDI engines was rejected by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) last month. CARB had said, "VW's and Audi's submissions are incomplete, substantially deficient and fall far short of meeting the legal requirements to return those vehicles to the claimed certified configuration."