1981 Vw Rabbit Pickup Truck 1.6 Diesel N/a on 2040-cars

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New info on how VW, Porsche, Audi V6 TDI engine cheat works

The German newspaper Bild am Sonntag is reporting that US investigators have found three pieces of software that work in concert to turn off the emissions control equipment in certain diesel models after a set period of time. The engine in question, the 3.0-liter TDI turbodiesel, was found in certain Volkswagen Touareg, Audi Q7, and Porsche Cayenne models – the sale of which was suspended in the US late last year. Since most emissions compliance testing takes around 20 minutes, the software in the three VW Group models shuts off the emissions control equipment after 22 minutes, a straightforward end run around the testing. Remember that the 3.0-liter TDI engines aren't included in the big buyback and recall program announced for the smaller 2.0-liter, four-cylinder TDI engines. The 3.0-liter engines will likely get their own program, but we don't know when to expect it or exactly what it will look like. Last month, California rejected a proposed fix for the larger TDI engines, and VW went back to the drawing board. Since the company is unlikely to create two fixes, one for California and one for the rest of the nation, the company can't really proceed until they figure out a solution California will accept. The EPA hasn't officially commented on the report, and we don't know how Bild am Sonntag came across the information, but we'll be closely watching what emerges after this report. Related Video:

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:

VW App-Connect gets celeb-studded campaign

Volkswagen is hoping that some celebrity faces help get the word out about App-Connect in the German brand's latest models with the MIB II infotainment system. The humorous, new commercial titled Party (above) stars Adam Scott, Michael Pena, and Christopher Mintz-Plasse, and the three of them are using voice commands and the touchscreen to show off the tech while planning a party. Another 30-second commercial titled Sorry with the three guys is coming along soon, as well, to advertise it even more. App-Connect is part of VW's adoption of Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and MirrorLink. By supporting all three standards, pretty much every smartphone user can plug into the vehicle's infotainment system. The tech is already available on the 2016 Tiguan and Golf R but is rolling out to all of the German brand's vehicles this model year, except for the Touareg and Eos. VOLKSWAGEN DEMONSTRATES ADVANCED CONNECTIVITY IN NEW CELEBRITY-DRIVEN MARKETING CAMPAIGN Sep 17, 2015 First brand to offer all three major smartphone integration platforms; available on virtually every model and nearly every trim Highlights App-Connect, a new technology which makes compatible smartphone integration seamless through Apple CarPlay®, Google Android Auto™, and MirrorLink® Multimedia Campaign stars Hollywood celebrities Michael Pena, Adam Scott and Christopher Mintz-Plasse Herndon, Va. – Volkswagen of America, Inc. today announced the release of a new advertising campaign that highlights the brand's all-new infotainment system, MIB II, and its advanced smartphone integration technology, App-Connect. As part of Volkswagen's available Car-Net® suite of connectivity offerings, App-Connect allows for seamless integration of compatible smartphones across Apple CarPlay®, Google Android Auto™ and MirrorLink®; making it the first automaker to do so. The campaign kicks off with two 30-second television commercials, titled "Party" and "Sorry" starring Adam Scott, Michael Pena and Christopher Mintz-Plasse. In each spot, the celebrities navigate App-Connect by utilizing voice commands, the vehicle's touchscreen, and steering wheel controls.