Volkswagen and Partners, Co-conspirators in the use of Cheat Software?

Already hobbled by a long train of allegations surrounding a number of their small diesel engines utilizing devices to cheat air pollution tests, Volkswagen has again undermined itself by using the same devices in their high-end diesel vehicles, according statements made by US environmental regulators on Monday.

In light of this revelation, Volkswagen’s higher marketed models will not be the only brands under scrutiny. In September, the US Environmental Protection Agency uncovered software in smaller models like Volkswagen Jettas that essentially cheated their tests. Now, similar software has been found in large models sporting Volkswagen’s V6 diesel engines.

Volkswagen’s partner brands, Audi and Porsche, fall under suspicion as well, as the V6 diesel engines—designed by Audi—are also used in their high-end model vehicles. Together, the three brands have sold vehicles sporting these engines from 2014 through 2016.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, models utilizing this test-deceiving V6 engine could emit up to nine times higher than the allowed amounts of nitrogen oxide, which is among the top pollutants on the planet, as it contains harmful amounts of ozone.

The scandal has caught the attention of Democratic Senators Richard Blumenthal and Edward Markey. The senators clearly expressed their thoughts on the matter, stating that Volkswagen “should be held accountable for illegally using defeat devices to cheat consumers and emissions controls. The administration should reverse any CAFE or other benefits VW might have enjoyed as a result of illegal behavior.”

Volkswagen challenged the accusation on Monday, stating that “no software has been installed to alter emissions characteristics in a forbidden manner.”However, their credibility is questionable at best, as similar denials were made regarding three generations of their four-cylinder diesel engines back in September before they finally admitted to cheating the EPA’s tests with special software.

Some of the V6 diesel engines currently in circulation that may not have the cheating software. The EPA can only target those that were recently tested. However, regulators believe that an estimate of 10,000 VW cars is equipped with illegal test cheating software.

Recall that VW admitted to the use of these “defeat devices,” as they are referred to, on their four-cylinder engines in over 11 million cars globally. The devices basically alter emissions controls on the vehicles so that they meet the standard during testing but, in actuality, emit pollutants in excess of regulation during actual driving.

On Monday, regulators named some Audi, Porshce, and VW models in breach of US Law: VW Toureg, The Audi Q5 SUV and A6 Sedan, and the Porsche Cayenne. Porsche maintains that they had no knowledge of the devices and that they were under the impression that the Porsche Cayenne was “compliant” with all regulations.