AUDI will improve its diesel. Thousands of cars to modify.

Volkswagen's German subsidiary announced Friday that it intends to introduce modifications to the exhaust gas neutralization system of its 850,000 diesel cars. Changes to the software are intended to improve the "emission behavior" of vehicles with six- and eight-cylinder diesel engines adapted to Euro-5 and Euro-6 exhaust gas standards. Modifications will be available free of charge to customers in Europe and other markets outside of the United States and Canada.

"Audi wants to contribute to reducing the total emissions in city centers in this way," says the company's statement. The service will also be available for Porsche and Volkswagen cars that feature identical engines.
Voluntary modifications

All diesel powertrain systems are still being investigated for possible irregularities, with Audi working closely with the authorities here. The modifications offered now are voluntary and include projects already promised. In early June German transport minister Alexander Dobrindt appealed to Audi publicly on charges of installing "unacceptable switching devices" in 24,000. High class cars.

Conflict with the manufacturers here refers to the so-called thermal window, which is the extent of the outside temperature at which nitrogen oxides can be neutralized. When the temperature of the outside air intake deviates excessively from this range, the operation of the neutralizing system can even damage the engine and therefore the European Commission has allowed the neutralization to be temporarily switched off.

According to environmental organizations, the EC Regulation on this issue is insufficiently rigorous, giving automakers too much leeway in programming neutralizing systems.
Cleaner air
The Bavarian National Government has adopted on Tuesday measures to improve air quality in the centers of the major cities. It is specifically about making at the expense of modifying manufacturers in the Bavarian diesel cars Audi and BMW. Also on Tuesday in Daimler, Baden-Württemberg, Daimler announced its intention to introduce more than 3 million Mercedes-Benz diesel engines in Europe.

Last week, Daimler described the allegations of illegal machinations by the Federal Motor Vehicle Authority (KBA) as being unfounded. As noted, regulation of exhaust gas neutralization is a highly complex issue both technically and legally. "Based on the information we have at our disposal, we will take all legal measures to defend against the allegations made by KBA about the use of illegal shutdown devices," the company statement said.

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