Photo: Porsche
The US Environmental Protection Agency has issued a second notice of violation against Volkswagen and Audi today, one which also targets Porsche. Certain model year SUVs and large sedans are allegedly fitted with defeat devices on their 3.0 TDI diesel engines and emit up to nine times the EPA's standard for NOx gases when this is not active.
The EPA and the California Air Resources Board (CARB) have concluded that about 10,000 vehicles sold in America are affected. These include 2014 model year VW Touaregs, 2015 model year Porsche Cayennes and 2016 Audi A6, A7, A8 / A8 L and Q5.
We have no idea why the model years are so specific and why the 2014 versions of those Audis or the old Q7 are not included in the list. But it's obvious that Porsche is also involved in the Dieselgate scandal, as we've suspected all along.
As you would expect, the EPA isn't too happy with what it's found. Cynthia Giles, Assistant Administrator for the Office for EPA’s Enforcement and Compliance Assurance, had this to say in an official statement: “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.”
However, Volkswagen's declaration made as a response to the EPA findings is positively shocking: ”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.”
It sounds to us like we are entering the gray area of the VW diesel scandal. While VW insists the 3.0 TDI is free of defeat devices, it does not deny or admit that models equipped with the engine are nine times above the legal limit of emissions allowed by the EPA.
For now, no stop-sale order has been placed, and Audi's, Porsche's and VW's websites still promote the affected models.
The vast majority of VW Touareg, Audi A8 and Q7 models sold in Europe come with the 3-liter diesel. In fact, the all-new Q7 that's not yet available stateside doesn't even have any other type of engine.
Editor's note: That's what Porsche gets for using a diesel engine. In hindsight, we think it wasn't really worth the trouble.
We have no idea why the model years are so specific and why the 2014 versions of those Audis or the old Q7 are not included in the list. But it's obvious that Porsche is also involved in the Dieselgate scandal, as we've suspected all along.
As you would expect, the EPA isn't too happy with what it's found. Cynthia Giles, Assistant Administrator for the Office for EPA’s Enforcement and Compliance Assurance, had this to say in an official statement: “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.”
However, Volkswagen's declaration made as a response to the EPA findings is positively shocking: ”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.”
It sounds to us like we are entering the gray area of the VW diesel scandal. While VW insists the 3.0 TDI is free of defeat devices, it does not deny or admit that models equipped with the engine are nine times above the legal limit of emissions allowed by the EPA.
For now, no stop-sale order has been placed, and Audi's, Porsche's and VW's websites still promote the affected models.
The vast majority of VW Touareg, Audi A8 and Q7 models sold in Europe come with the 3-liter diesel. In fact, the all-new Q7 that's not yet available stateside doesn't even have any other type of engine.
Editor's note: That's what Porsche gets for using a diesel engine. In hindsight, we think it wasn't really worth the trouble.
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