Audi launches a free recalibration programme for 850,000 diesel cars

Following the path initiated this very week by Mercedes, Audi will free of charge recalibrate the software that governs the management of the mechanics and emissions of up to 850,000 units already sold equipped with six- and eight-cylinder diesel engines (the EU5 and EU6 V6 and V8 TDI). Affected customers will thus update their diesel engines in such a way that their emissions under real driving conditions will be well below the current legal requirements.

As Mercedes has already done, this campaign will be carried out voluntarily, in line with the suggestion made by the German Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) to German car manufacturers, with the aim of reducing overall emissions, especially in urban areas. Porsche and Volkswagen will also shortly launch a similar campaign for their models equipped with these same engine types. All of these measures will be carried out completely free of charge for all customers.

According to the brand with the four rings, this programme will counteract possible bans affecting vehicles with diesel engines and will thereby allow, thanks to the low fuel consumption of diesel engines, these to help achieve the ambitious CO§h17Volkswagenh18§ targets set in Europe. This is another of the reasons why Audi has decided to also offer this reconditioning programme.

Since the emissions problem emerged, Audi has been intensively investigating and examining all diesel concepts to detect any possible irregularities in them. All indications have been analysed and verified and, since 2016, all possible combinations of engines and transmissions have been systematically reviewed. Throughout this process, Audi has cooperated closely with the authorities in the various markets where it operates and has kept them informed, in particular the Federal Ministry of Transport and the Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA), of the progress made and the conclusions reached.

The overall package of measures that Audi is now voluntarily undertaking consists of a series of actions and measures to be implemented, some of which have already been communicated to the authorities. Audi is aware that the KBA’s investigations have not yet concluded. Should these investigations lead to further consequences, Audi will promptly implement the necessary technical solutions in the interest of its customers as part of this EU5 / EU6 reconditioning programme.