Currently reading: Audi automatic gearboxes could feature emissions cheating software

Tests carried out by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) might have revealed new illegal software

Audi models using automatic gearboxes could feature illegal emissions cheating software if findings made by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) are accurate.

The research, which has been increased following the emissions scandal of Audi parent company Volkswagen, found that automatic gearbox software adjusts the way gears are selected if a car is subjected to test conditions, where the steering wheel remains perfectly straight.

According to Automotive News Europe, this ‘dynamic shift’ software, which is designed to adjust shift patterns to best suit driving scenarios, has been used in Audi automatic models sold in Europe and the US with petrol and diesel engines for years.

Audi revealed to Autocar that following the allegations it has explained “the technical background on dynamic shift programs to the German Federal Motor Transport Authority [Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt, KBA],” and has “provided the KBA with technical information”.

“In the testing situation of a test bench, dynamic shift programs can lead to incorrect readings and results that cannot be reproduced,” it added. “This needs to be taken into account in test bench mode for all OEMs.”

The US investigation is ongoing, and Audi confirmed more conversations with the KBA would follow. It concluded, “Please understand that in light of ongoing discussions with regulators in the United States, we cannot comment further at this time.”

Along with other brands of the Volkswagen Group, Audi has been investigated as part of the Dieselgate scandal. Ex-engine boss Stefan Knirsch quit in September amid accusations he was involved in the scandal, and the brand has undergone big changes to its motorsport and road car development programmes as Volkswagen looks to cut costs and clean up its image.

Read more:

Volkswagen chairman Herbert Diess on how to recover from dieselgate

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ralphsmall 25 December 2016

Audi automatics

This whole dieselgate thing is just the USA trying to shaft a successful competitor. They do what is best for the good old USA . They did this to the original Comet jet airliner and again to Concord and have never made a trade teaty that did not benefit them. All autos I have driven over the last few years adjust to how you drive and have drive selection programes. This is yet more American bull. On arecent USA trip I was staggered by the number of huge truck/SUVs they all drive so talking about pollution when every rev puts 6 liters of crud into the air is just that Bull. Add the truck fleet into the equation and the whole thing is a joke and designed to shaft any opposition.
Clarkey 14 November 2016

Busy bad apples

Those 1 or 2 software engineers they are trying to blame it on must have been very busy indeed.
TS7 14 November 2016

I ordered a RS6...

... not because I want to save the planet, but because it's a ****ing fast estate car.