The continuing saga of the emissions scam affecting Audi, Porsche and Volkswagen has again expanded with the announcement of the problem affecting 85,000 vehicles with 3.0-liter diesel V6 engines dating to 2009.
The engine software is allegedly designed to foil emissions tests, according to the EPA.
The California Air Resources Board and the EPA “will continue to investigate and will take all appropriate action,” the federal agency said in its statement.
Previously, the EPA said the software was found on 2014-16 models with the Audi-developed 3.0-liter diesel, including SUVs from all three brands and larger sedans from Audi.
The EPA made its initial allegations on the 3.0-liter engines on Nov. 2.
An EPA spokeswoman said the additional model years covered 75,000 vehicles sold in the U.S. market, in addition to the roughly 10,000 units from the 2014-16 model years that were identified on Nov. 2. An unknown number of 2016 models with the 3.0-liter diesel also contain the software.
Audi, VW and Porsche halted sales of new models powered by the 3.0-liter diesels earlier this month in response to the EPA allegations.
Audi of America communications chief Jeri Ward confirmed that the EPA was informed that the software was used on all 3.0-liter diesels since the 2009 model year.
For Audi, the expansion affects only the 2009-12 Q7 SUV, Ward said, noting that the suspect device in the 3.0-liter diesels is different from the illegal software Volkswagen AG has admitted to installing on its 2.0-liter diesels in the U.S. market.
The EPA’s initial action on the 3.0-liters cited the 2014 VW Touareg, 2016 Audi A6 Quattro, A7 Quattro, A8, A8L, Q5, as well as the 2015 Porsche Cayenne powered by the automaker’s 3.0-liter diesel engine.
Article Last Updated: November 20, 2015.