New Emissions Cheat Device Found in Audi Vehicles

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) apparently found a new emissions cheat device in an Audi vehicle, potentially deepening Volkswagen Group’s diesel crisis.

According to a report by German newspaper Bild am Sonntag, CARB officials last summer were investigating an Audi vehicle and discovered a device in the automatic transmission. The device altered gear shifting software that reduced carbon dioxide emissions in laboratory settings. The device was activated based on steering angle–turning the wheel more than 15 degrees in either direction deactivated the cheat programing. The report claims the device was used in gasoline and diesel Audi models sold in Europe.

The report also states Audi stopped using the device last May and has suspended engineers who were allegedly involved with the matter.

This device is unrelated to one involving VW’s worldwide emissions scandal affecting 11 million vehicles equipped with the 2.0-liter turbodiesel. That device also adjusted emissions levels when it detected the vehicle was being tested. The automaker is set to spend $14.7 billion in the U.S. to buy back affected vehicles from owners. That money will also go to numerous environmental programs and advancing electric vehicle development in the country. The automaker is still working to resolve vehicles with the 3.0-liter V-6 diesel, which were also found to have cheat devices.

Source: Reuters

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