2016 Audi A8 4dr Sedan 3.0l Tdi on 2040-cars

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VW internal investigation finds 'no evidence' against suspended engineers

Volkswagen is still working out the chain of events that led to emissions-evading software being installed in 11 million diesel vehicles worldwide and deciding who was responsible for the treachery. So far, the German automotive giant's internal investigation hasn't publicly named many suspects, and three suspended executive-level engineers have been found not to be culpable in the wrongdoing, according to an anonymous insider speaking to Reuters. VW knows that the software began being installed in the EA 189 engine in 2008. The internal investigation has found that the emissions-evading tech was created because the powerplant was found to fail US standards. Plus, the diesel mill wasn't meeting cost targets, according to Reuters. The automaker responded by suspending over 10 employees, but three top engineers among them might not have been involved. Those put on leave include Heinz-Jakob Neusser from VW, Ulrich Hackenberg from Audi, and Wolfgang Hatz who led Porsche's research and group-wide engine development. The internal detective work hasn't turned up any evidence against these three men. In addition to VW's own inquires, government investigators in both the US and Germany are taking a serious look into the company's actions, too. So far, the automaker is setting aside about $7.3 billion to pay to fix the vehicles with the evasive software. Depending on what authorities find, the costs could grow quickly. Beyond the financial implications, the scandal has led to a serious shakeup in VW's corporate structure. Related Video:

2015 Rolex 24 at Daytona pre-race notes

Reigning Indy 500 champion Ryan Hunter-Reay summarized our feelings on every year's Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona when he said, "The 24 kind of kicks off the year and has become part of my calendar... It definitely helps you get in race shape after a long layoff." Speaking of IndyCar drivers, 14 of the 33 pilots who started last year's Indy 500 are driving in Daytona this year, and an IndyCar driver has been part of the overall winning team for the last four years. The race starts at 2:10 pm Eastern Standard Time, here's where you can watch it: 2-4 pm: Fox Sports Network 4-8 pm: Fox Sports 2 8-10 pm: Fox Sports 1 10 pm-7 am: IMSA TV on IMSA.com - commentary available here for the full 24 hours 7 am – 2:30 pm (Sunday) – Fox Sports 1 Timing and Scoring Andy Blackmore's typically awesome Spotter's Guide Video primer on the four classes: Prototype (16 in this year's race), Prototype Challenge (8), GT Le Mans (10), GTD (19), and how to identify them. Daytona International Speedway: tri-oval with an infield road course, 3.56 miles long, 12 turns Entry list Qualifying results We've tagged along with Audi for the 53rd running of the race, which marks the first event in the Tudor United SportsCar Car Championship. After a difficult first year of teething – IMSA president and COO Scott Atherton said, "Everybody on our staff and everybody that raced with us last year would tell you it was the most challenging season on record" – some things are smoother this year, some things aren't, starting with the field: 53 cars are expected to line up, 14 fewer than last year, the smallest field since 48 cars lined up in 2011. The Prototype class shed three teams from 2014 and the GT Daytona class lost ten, so there's a 19-car field in that class (nine Porsche 911 GT Americas, three Ferrari 458 Italias, two each of the Aston-Martin V12 Vantage, Dodge Viper SRT, Audi R8 LMS, and one BMW Z4). Truth be told, last year's number was probably inflated by having the previous American Le Mans Series and Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Championship combined to make the USCC; the field in 2013 was 57 cars, in 2012 it was 59 cars. Another factor in this year's race is that the GT class adopts FIA GT3 rules from next year. Brad Kettler, manager of Audi's customer motorsport program, said they'd sold five R8 LMS cars last year but zero for this year – there are undoubtedly teams waiting on the sidelines for the rules unification before spending the money.

VW and Audi recall Tiguan and Q5 to replace Takata inflators

The Basics: Volkswagen and Audi will recall 734 examples of the 2015 Tiguan with production dates between January 15, 2015, and January 21, 2015, and the 2015 Q5 built between January 13, 2015, and February 3, 2015. The Problem: The vehicles have driver and passenger seat side airbag inflators from Takata that could rupture in a crash. Injuries/Deaths: A side airbag ruptured in a 2015 Tiguan in June 2015, and the driver sustained slight injuries under the left arm. The person didn't need to seek medical attention, Audi spokesperson Mark Clothier told Autoblog. This is the only reported injury. The Fix: VW and Audi dealers will replace the side airbag modules. If You Own One: VW and Audi will advise owners about the recall but don't yet know specifically when repairs begin. RECALL Subject : Seat-Mounted Air Bag Inflators May Rupture Report Receipt Date: JAN 28, 2016 NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V045000 Component(s): AIR BAGS Potential Number of Units Affected: 734 All Products Associated with this Recall Vehicle Make Model Model Year(s) AUDI Q5 2015 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN 2015 Details Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. SUMMARY: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015 Volkswagen Tiguan vehicles manufactured January 15, 2015, to January 21, 2015, and 2015 Audi Q5 vehicles manufactured January 13, 2015, to February 3, 2015. The affected vehicles are equipped with driver and front seat passenger seat-mounted air bag inflators that may rupture in the event of a crash. CONSEQUENCE: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of a seat-mounted air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death. REMEDY: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the side air bag modules, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-822-2834 or Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69M1 (for Audi) and 69L9 (for VW). NOTES: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov. Related Video: