Audi issues NOx recalls as company is investigated for emissions manipulation

02 November 2017

Audi has said that Germany’s transport watchdog is looking into whether the manufacturer manipulated nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions in its flagship A8 model.

The Volkswagen (VW) Group brand has said it will recall 4,997 A8 models in Europe fitted with V8 diesel engines to update their software after it was found they emitted too much NOx. This is in addition to the vehicles being recalled under the terms of the German diesel summit held in August.

The car maker has also reported the issue to Germany’s KBA motor authority, believing it is pointing to an illegal manipulation of emissions by the manufacturer. This is yet another damaging diesel scandal for the VW group, and Audi in particular, which in recent months has seen itself drawn further into the Dieselgate crisis.

In a statement, Audi says: ′The company reported directly and in detail on the facts it discovered to Germany’s Federal Motor Transport Authority (Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt / KBA) and suggested a software update to be carried out in the context of a recall, which is already being prepared. On this basis, the KBA has given instructions for a recall. The software is expected to be available in the first quarter of 2018 following comprehensive winter testing, and will then be quickly implemented after approval by and in close consultation with the authorities. During the testing, it will be ensured that the new software has no disadvantages for customers in terms of fuel consumption or performance. This will also be coordinated with the regulatory authorities.’

Audi said the affected cars were built between September 2013 and August 2017. The automaker said the software would likely be available in the first quarter of 2018. The group said 3,660 of the affected cars were in Germany.

Audi has had a troubled year when it comes to the emissions scandal, with the announcement in June that it was under investigation for cheating emissions testing in Germany, the first recorded accusation that the VW Group had done wrong in Europe.

In July, the German manufacturer launched a recall for up to 850,000 diesel cars in order to update vehicle software controlling emissions, in a bid to avoid potential city driving bans. The service is also being offered to Porsche and Volkswagen brand cars using the same six and eight-cylinder Euro 5 and Euro 6 engines. 

In a statement at the time, the manufacturer said: ′For several months now, Audi has been systematically investigating the emissions of a large number of engine-transmission combinations in certain driving conditions. The latest analyses of A7 and A8 automobiles of model years 2010 through 2013 with V6 and V8 engines certified according to the EU5 emission standard have revealed that in certain situations, NOx emissions are between 20 and 100% above the limit.’  

Audi said Germany’s transport watchdog is looking at whether it manipulated NOx emissions in its flagship A8 sedan.

The Volkswagen Group luxury brand said it will recall 4,997 A8 models in Europe fitted with V-8 diesel engines to update software after it found they emitted too much nitrogen oxide.The automaker said it had reported the matter to Germany’s KBA motor authority. An Audi spokesman said the KBA was pointing to an illegal manipulation of emissions.

Audi is grappling with recalls, prosecutor investigations and criticism from unions and managers over its part in VW Group’s diesel-emissions scandal and its performance since news of the affair broke in 2015.

Photograph courtesy of Audi