3.0L TDI V6 Engine in Volkswagen, Audi, and Porsche Models Joins 'Dieselgate'

Kuala Lumpur: Volkswagen Dieselgate is back in the news! This time, the 3.0L TDI V6 diesel engine in Volkswagen, Audi, and Porsche models has been alleged of having 'diesel emissions cheating devices' by United States Environmental Protection Agency, following which five companies under the Volkswagen Group including Volkswagen AG, Volkswagen Group of America, Porsche AG, Porsche Cars North America, and Audi AG have recently got the second 'Notice of Violation' (NOV) of Clean Air Act (CAA) from the EPA.

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According to EPA, all Volkswagen, Audi, and Porche cars of model year 2014-2016 having 3.0L TDI V6 diesel engine are affected from 'diesel emissions cheating devices' – which is basically a software in the control module that helps the vehicle to sense when it is being tested for compliance with EPA emissions standards and during that time, the vehicle takes measure to ensure that it meets the EPA's emissions guidelines. But when the test is concluded, the vehicle will reconfigure itself back to a 'normal' setting and starts emitting more nitrogen oxide (NOx) than it pretended to emit during the test.

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In the second 'Notice of Violation' (NOV), EPA has alleged 3.0L TDI V6 Diesel Engine in Volkswagen, Audi, and Porsche models of emitting up to nine times more nitrogen oxide (NOx) than the EPA'a standard. All these affected models are sold in the United States, but it is not clear whether other markets will be involved. In the notice of violation (NOV), EPA has listed many SUV and Sedan models including 2014 Volkswagen Touareg, 2015 Porsche Cayenne in addition to 2016 Audi A6 Quattro, A7 Quattro, A8, A8L, and Q5.

Also Read: Volkswagen Diesel Emissions Cheating Devices May Also Affect Its Latest 1.6L and 2.0L EA288 Diesel Engines

The'Notice of Violation' covers around 10,000 diesel passenger cars which are already sold in the US since the model year 2014. The number of vehicles of 2016 model year covered by NOV is still not clear. Both EPA and California Air Resources Board (CARB) has started an investigation on this case. However, the parent company - Volkswagen AG has denied the latest allegation by emphasising that “no software has been installed in the 3.0 Litre V6 diesel power units to alter emissions characteristics in a forbidden manner.” The German automaker has also stated that it will cooperate fully with the EPA to clarify this matter in its entirety.

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