Audi submits 3.0 TDI fix proposal to CARB, crosses fingers
Source: Autoweek
Full Article: Audi submits 3.0 TDI fix proposal to CARB, crosses fingers
VW, Audi and Porsche diesel models expected to receive software upgrade
Audi submitted a technical proposal to the California Air Resources Board (CARB) yesterday outlining its plan to recall and fix its 3.0-liter TDI diesel models, Automotive News reports. Federal and state regulators gave the automaker a Feb. 2 deadline to address an emissions control issue first identified in early November of last year.
“VW agrees these devices resulted in excess emissions and other instances of noncompliance in the affected vehicles,” CARB said in a statement on Tuesday, Feb. 2.
“CARB will respond following a thorough and complete review to make sure the plan addresses the presence of the illegal defeat device and follows the necessary environmental, vehicle and public health and safety regulations.”
In a Notice of Violation filed back in November the EPA accused Volkswagen AG of using undisclosed emissions control systems in 3.0-liter TDI engines in Audi, Volkswagen and Porsche models, one of which was labeled as a “defeat device.” The notice led to a prompt stop-sale order on certain versions of the Audi A6, A7, A8 sedans, as well as the Q5 and the Q7. VW and Porsche also halted sales of the diesel Touareg and Cayenne models.
Audi has admitted that one of the emissions control systems amounts to a defeat device, and has tried to explain that the 3.0-liter engines use a catalyst warmup mode. The company still believes that the problem could be solved with just a software update without any effect on performance or emissions, though it didn’t release any technical details of the proposed fix.
“Now the authorities will review the plan and determine whether it meets their requirements,” the company said in a statement. “We hope to receive a decision in the near future.”
The Feb. 2 plans follow CARB’s rejection of Volkswagen’s proposed solution for 482,000 models equipped with the 2.0-liter TDI engine, though Audi’s issue is expected to involve a less-complex repair.