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Audi could buy back 25,000 older diesel Q7s

Audi will follow the example of Volkswagen here in the US, according to Germany's Der Spiegel. The paper reports that the luxury brand will buy back 25,000 vehicles with 3.0-liter, turbodiesel V6s that don't pass US emissions tests, and repair others. While we can expect an official update on the 3.0-liter TDI during a hearing on November 3, Der Spiegel's report could serve as a preview. The paper reports Audi will only offer owners of older Q7 TDIs buybacks. According to Reuters, Audi will repair an additional 85,000 vehicles that violate emission laws, although the report doesn't specify models. Audi USA's consumer information website lists an EPA "notice of violation" for all diesel-powered A6, A7, and A8 sedans, as well as Q5 crossovers, from model years 2014 through 2016. The Q7, meanwhile, stretches from to 2009 to 2016. We should also consider what Der Spiegel's report means for German consumers. Volkswagen has received a lot of heat across the pond over its decision to not offer buybacks in Europe, owing to the far greater number of affected vehicles. That both VW and Audi are looking at US buybacks is surely something that will irk the brands' critics in their homeland. We'll have more on Volkswagen/Audi's plans for the 3.0-liter TDI V6 on November 3. Related Video:

VW won't let emissions scandal keep it from racing

The Volkswagen Group may have its hands full dealing with the diesel emissions scandal. But that doesn't mean it will be curbing its considerable racing programs. At least not in any significant way. This according to Matthias Muller, who recently moved up from his previous position as Porsche CEO to preside over the entire group. Speaking with Autosport at the World Endurance Championship finale in Bahrain this past weekend, Muller emphasized the importance of racing to the company. "The motorsports programs are not in danger of being dropped or significantly reduced because motorsports is very important for the group and the brands," said Muller. "Basically we do not question our motorsport efforts." Of all the brands under the group's umbrella, several have prominent, top-level factory works racing programs, and others support customer racing teams. The Volkswagen brand has emerged as the dominant force in the World Rally Championship, securing both titles over the past three years. Both Porsche and Audi compete in the top tier at Le Mans and in the World Endurance Championship, trading places in the winner's circle. Audi also competes in DTM, and alongside Lamborghini, Bentley, and Porsche, and also offers GT3 and GTE racing cars to private customers. Lamborghini, Porsche, Audi, and Seat (once the leader in touring cars) all run their own spec racing series as well. Skoda continues to compete in lower-level rallying, leaving only Bugatti to draw on its prominent pre-war grand prix racing history. To hear Muller tell it, those racing programs – or at least the top-levels ones among them – aren't going away anytime soon. But there may still be some tweaks here and there, and we shouldn't expect any new programs to be launched in the near future. Porsche, for example, is anticipated to wind down its factory involvement in GT racing, after winning both the drivers' and manufacturers' titles in the WEC GTE Pro class this year in addition to its LMP1 victories. Instead it will focus on preparing new racing versions of the 911 for client racing teams. The auto giant was also reportedly close to branching out into Formula One in partnership with Red Bull. But after negotiations were interrupted by emergence of the diesel emissions scandal, that deal fell apart. It remains unknown which brand might have been represented in the F1 engine-supply program.

Audi R8 V10 Plus takes on Ducati Diavel in straight line

The classic car-versus-motorcycle comparison is put to the test as Autocar pits a 2013 Audi R8 V10 against the Ducati Diavel in a run from 0-150-0 miles per hour. While you might expect the 162-horsepower Ducati weighing just 515 pounds to blow away the 542-horse, 3,500-pound Audi, this particular test measures the acceleration and braking of both high-performance machines.
Drag racing an Audi R8 against a Ducati on a long, flat stretch of concrete sounds fun to us, and Autocar documented the whole test for our viewing pleasure. We don't want to spoil the fun for you, so let's just say that a Volkswagen-owned brand wins. Scroll down to watch the video for yourself.