Dieselgate: Audi Australia says software "inactive"

Audi Australia says the 'defeat' software used to beat US emission rules is "inactive" in Australian-spec turbo-diesel.

This is in the face of news from European Audi and Volkswagen sources which have stated more than 2.1 million Audi vehicles using 1.6 and 2.0 TDI (diesel) engines.are affected by the cheat software program.

Audi Australia’s general manager of corporate communications, Anna Burgdorf, told media gathered at today’s launch of the new RS 3 Sportback that Audi Australia understands the software is "inactive" in Australian-spec vehicles.

"We don't yet know the full effect of the software on Australian-built vehicles," said Burgdorf.

"However, it is our understanding that the software is inactive in all Australian-build Audi vehicles with an EA189 [turbo-diesel] engine."

The EA189 engine was offered in a wide range of Audi models, including A1, A3, A4, A5, A6, TT, Q3 and Q5 variants. Audi says it is so far unaware as to which models are affected, but says there are only a small number of vehicles likely to harbour the hidden program.

Audi clarified that no petrol models or V6 and V8 turbo-diesel engines are affected, and also says newer Euro6 (emissions standard) compliant models are not affected.

Although Audi Australia is currently waiting on a directive from HQ, it says its customers are its priority, and that it has made more staff available at its customer care centre to handle any inquiries Audi customers might have.

"Audi Australia is working as quickly as we can, together with our head office, to analyse the potential effect on Australian vehicles and to inform the Australian government of our investigations to date," Burgdorf said.

"Our customers are our highest priority at this time, and we will be contacting them directly once we have an accurate list of potentially affected vehicles, along with an understanding of any possible software effects," she added.

"At that time we will confirm our next steps to remove the software from customers’ vehicles. We hope to provide that information in the next few days."

UPDATE: 17:11 Sept 30
Following Audi Australia’s statement regarding its belief so-called ‘defeat’ anti-emission test software is inactive in Australian market vehicles, motoring.com.au contacted Volkswagen Australia in an effort to ascertain its position.

Spokesperson, Karl Gehling told motoring.com.au the company had no further information at this stage. When asked why Audi was able to make the above statement while Volkswagen Australia was unable to supply further information he declined to comment.

“We will make more information available when we have it,” he stated.

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