Audi said that it will revise its 3.0-liter diesel engine emissions software to make it more compliant with the regulations in the United States.
The company plans to submit new applications to gain an emission certification from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the California Air Resources Board (CARB). Once the application is approved, Audi will prepare to make the revised software available for installation on its vehicles.
Audi acknowledged the mistake of not being able to disclose three of its Auxiliary Emissions Control Devices (AECDs), one of which is being suspected of being a cheat device. The device in question works by first detecting when an emission test is being conducted on the car before activating a feature designed to control pollution. This way, the exhibited nitrogen oxide levels seem to be within the acceptable safe limits. In reality, the nitrogen oxide emissions are more than what is legally allowed.
The AECDs will now be "sufficiently described and declared" with the updated emissions control software and the accompanying documentation, said Audi in a statement.
The 3.0-liter engine developed by Audi is used in the company's diesel vehicles that include the A6, A7, A8, Q5 and Q7 with model years beginning in 2009. Incidentally, the same type of engine is also used in the Porsche Cayenne SUVs and the VW Touareg with model year starting 2013.
"Audi has agreed with the environmental authorities on further steps of cooperation in which the concrete measures to be taken will be specified," wrote Audi World. "The company has committed to continue cooperating transparently and fully. The focus will be on finding quick, uncomplicated and customer-friendly solutions."
According to the company's proposal to the regulators, the issue on the defeat device can be resolved simply by rolling out the revised software to its 85,000 cars. Currently, the affected vehicles remain banned from sale and the ban can be lifted only when the proposal is approved by the EPA and CARB.
Still, that doesn't guarantee the company will be exempted from paying a fine for failing to initially disclose the AECDs. Moreover, Audi could find itself facing a potential lawsuit caused by violating U.S. regulations.
