US regulator found another cheat device in Audi car

Image Credits: REUTERS

  06 Nov 2016 , 10:51

A U.S. regulator found software in some Audi vehicles that lowered their carbon dioxide emissions if it detected they were being used under test conditions, Bild am Sonntag reported.

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) discovered the software in an automatic transmission Audi last summer, the German weekly newspaper said, without citing any sources.

CARB had no immediate comment and Audi was not immediately available for comment on Sunday’s Bild am Sonntag report.

The paper said the device, which was not the same as the one which triggered last year’s diesel emissions scandal at Audi parent Volkswagen, was also used in diesel and gasoline-powered cars in Europe.

VW’s admission that it had installed software that deactivated pollution controls on more than 11 million diesel vehicles sold worldwide, triggered the deepest business crisis in the German carmaker’s history.

Audi, the main contributor to VW group profit, has also admitted its 3.0 litre V6 diesel engine was fitted with emissions-control software.

Bild am Sonntag said the software discovered by CARB, which was installed in vehicles with certain automatic transmissions, detected whether a car’s steering wheel was turned.

If it was not, indicating laboratory testing conditions, the software turned on a gear-shifting programme which produced less carbon dioxide than in normal road driving. If the wheel was turned in any direction by more than 15 degrees, the programme was switched off, the paper said.

Audi stopped using the software in May 2016, just before CARB discovered the manipulation in an older model, the paper said, adding that the carmaker had suspended several engineers in connection with the matter.

Bild am Sonntag said a spokesman for Audi had declined to comment, citing ongoing talks with U.S. and California regulators on a proposed fix for cars with 3.0 litre engines.

Reuters

Skoda Kodiaq SUV announced; heading to India in 2017

Automobile manufacturer Skoda has finally unveiled its SUV called Kodiaq. While pricing details aren’t available just yet, Skoda has made it official that it will be bringing its SUV to India in 2017. Autocar India claims that Skoda Kodiaq will launch in India in September 2017.

Skoda Kodiaq – World Premiere, Berlin (Image: Skoda)

The Kodiaq gets its name from the Kodiak bear which is found in Alaska. The vehicle has been derived from the Vision S concept that debuted at the 86th Geneva Motor Show back in March.

Image: Skoda

Coming to the design, the Kodiaq SUV features some sharp lines as per previous teasers. The design is influenced by Czech cubism and features plenty of cuts and straight lines but retains the recent change in Skoda’s design philosophy that is also evident in the new Superb sedan.

Image: Skoda

Image: Skoda

The 3D-front grille adds to the sharp looks and so do the tail lights and the headlamps both of which get the LED treatment.

Image: Skoda

Moving to the internals, the Kodiaq is based on Volkswagen’s MQB platform and weighs in at just 1,452kgs.

Image: Skoda

The interior is fairly simple but packs in a few modern hints like the black dash you see in the image above. Still then it seems like a subtle version of the SUV’s exterior. It is however practical, one that which Skoda claims, offers a larger than average space compared to other SUVs.

Image: Skoda

The five seat model offers 2.065 litres of boot space while the seven seat option will deliver 720 litres.

Image: Skoda

The Kodiaq will be offered in two TDI variants and three TSI variants. The petrol engine will be a 2.0-litre unit that develops 177bhp, while the more powerful diesel will also be a 2.0 litre engine capable of delivering 189bhp. Transmission options include a 6-speed manual gearbox or DSG transmissions that will arrive with six or seven speeds.

The Skoda Kodiaq will be offered in three trim levels Active, Ambition and Style