2004 Porsche Boxster Convertible on 2040-cars

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Volkswagen may soon have remedy for more cheating diesels

Nearly a half-million motorists who own Volkswagens equipped with 2.0-liter engines have known for a few weeks the company might wind up buying back their vehicles as part of a settlement surrounding the company's emissions cheating. But about 85,000 drivers who own similarly afflicted diesels with 3.0-liter engines have been stuck without a remedy. They may not be waiting much longer. Bloomberg reports that Volkswagen will soon propose a fix for vehicles, including those from Audi and Porsche, equipped with 3.0-liter engines that will include new software and a new catalytic converter for the vehicles. Discussions with federal regulators are ongoing, according to the news outlet. "We are cooperating with the regulatory agencies and working with them on an approved solution," says Audi spokesperson Mark Clothier. "Beyond that, we cannot comment on ongoing investigations." Regulators have alleged that the company's 3.0-liter engines contain "defeat devices," illegal software that allows a vehicle to detect when it's undergoing an emissions test and turn off pollution control during real-world driving. The defeat device allows these vehicles to increase emissions of nitrogen oxide up to nine times the Environmental Protection Agency's allowable threshold. Affected 3.0-liter vehicles include the 2014 Volkswagen Toureg, 2015 Porsche Cayenne and the 2016 Audi A6 Quattro, A7 Quattro, A8, A8L and Q5. Volkswagen is slated to finalize its plans for buying back the afflicted 2.0-liter cars and potentially offer those motorists "substantial compensation" for their troubles by June 21, and it's possible that a formal announcement on the 3.0-liter vehicles would come at the same time. Related Video:

2014 Porsche Panamera S E-Hybrid

Porsche's Performance Plug-in Preamble
By the end of this year, Porsche will be producing as many plug-in vehicles (two) as mainstream automakers such as Toyota, Chevrolet and Honda. Before the 2015 918 Spyder hybrid supercar goes on sale in the US, though, it will be warming its customers up to the idea of a plug-in model with the 2014 Panamera S E-Hybrid. A step up from the previous Panamera S Hybrid, the new plug-in Panamera adds a more powerful and advanced electric drive system that pledges to deliver the performance expected of a Porsche with the added benefit of improved fuel economy and reduced emissions.
Going on sale in November, the Panamera S E-Hybrid is aimed at customers also considering the upcoming plug-in version Mercedes-Benz S-Class, but the car's dimensions and performance could make it a competitor for Tesla Model S customers. We headed to Germany at Porsche's invitation to see how well it performs, as well as check out the full range of newly refreshed Panamera models, which now numbers nine offerings - although we're still waiting for a production version of the gorgeous Sport Turismo wagon concept.

Modded budget Mazda Miata takes on new Porsche Boxster in more challenges

Earlier this month, our friends across the pond at Auto Express released the first in a two-video series that would see them try and build up a second-generation Mazda MX-5 Miata that could best a standard Porsche Boxster around the track. While that first video detailed the mods to the MX-5 - a supercharger, some suspension upgrades and a new set of super-sticky rubber being chief among them - and set baseline lap times for the stock car, today, we have the results of the 5,000-pound ($8,200) upgrade job.
Of course, we aren't going to spoil those for you. You'll need to watch the full video, which recaps the upgrades before digging into a comparison of both straight-line-speed differences between the 2.7-liter Porsche Boxster and blown Miata, as well as their behavior and lap times on the track.
Take a look and let us know what you think in Comments.