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Autoblog Podcast #413

Episode #413 of the Autoblog Podcast is here, and this week, Dan Roth, Chris Paukert, and Brandon Turkus recap all of the big debuts that took place this week at the 2015 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Of course, the podcast starts with what's in the garage and finishes up with some of your questions, and for those of you who hung with us live on our UStream channel, thanks for taking the time. Check out the rundown with times for topics, and you can follow along down below with our Q&A. Thanks for listening! Autoblog Podcast #413 The video meant to be presented here is no longer available. Sorry for the inconvenience. Topics 2015 Detroit Auto Show In The Autoblog Garage 2015 Chevrolet Trax 2015 Audi RS 5 2015 Ford F-150 Long-Term 2014 Jeep Cherokee Hosts: Dan Roth, Chris Paukert, Brandon Turkus Runtime: 01:xx:xx Rundown Intro and Garage - 00:00 2015 Detroit Auto Show – 37:49 Q&A - 01:32:48 Get The Podcast UStream – Listen live on Mondays at 10 PM Eastern at UStream iTunes – Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes RSS – Add the Autoblog Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator MP3 – Download the MP3 directly Feedback Email – Podcast at Autoblog dot com Review the show in iTunes

VW confirms Audi's emissions test transmission anomalies

Just a week after reports that the California Air Resources Board (CARB) found an emissions cheat in some Audi automatic transmission software programs, parent company Volkswagen has come clean. As reported by Reuters, VW's response to an article by Munich's Sueddeutsche Zeitung stated that the adaptive shift functionality can "lead to incorrect and non-reproducible results." Adaptive shift programs alter the characteristics of a vehicle's transmission to suit different driving styles. Gentle driving will result in earlier shifts and lower engine revs, while hard-charging on the pedals and steering will make the transmission more responsive and hold gears longer. That adaptation can change over time or even on a short-term basis. And it can save fuel. The difference in this case is that is seems that the Audi transmissions were specifically programmed to detect emissions test conditions. As we explained in a previous article, one of those test conditions is keeping the wheel straight. Turning more than 15 degrees shuts the test mode off. According to Reuters, the US government is trying to determine whether this classifies as an emissions cheat device, although VW, Audi, and the EPA have not commented on the record. This latest accusation is separate from the larger VW diesel emissions scandal. Related Video: Image Credit: Getty Editorial Government/Legal Green Audi Volkswagen Emissions vw diesel scandal

2017 Audi RS5 DTM racer is a smorgasbord of carbon-fiber wings

Along with the reveal of the new RS5 coupe, Audi took the wraps off its corresponding DTM racer here at the Geneva Motor Show. This concurrent debut strategy is completely by design. "For the first time, we developed a new DTM car in parallel with the production model. This underlines once again how closely motorsport and production work together at Audi," said head of Audi Motorsport Dieter Gass. As much as Audi would like you to believe its DTM racer shares a lot in common with its production RS5 ... well, it doesn't. Gone is the new biturbo V6, and in its place is a 4.0-liter V8. It's not a Quattro – all DTM racers are rear-wheel drive – and the chassis is a carbon-fiber monocoque. And, of course, there is an extremely complex set of wings, vanes, and splitters that you'd never see on a production car. View 15 Photos Interestingly, the 2017 DTM regulations actually reduce the total amount of downforce allowed. That ought to mean slower cars, but Audi promises the opposite is true, due to sticky new tires and a 4.0-liter V8 engine tuned to deliver "more than 500 horsepower." That's more than last year, thanks to changes made to the air intake and cooling systems. Audi won the Constructor title in DTM last year with the old RS5 racer, so the pressure is on to follow that feat again in 2017. We'll find out soon enough how good the new car is – the 2017 DTM season starts on May 6 in Hockenheim. Related Video: