Audi recalls almost 5,000 diesel cars in Europe

Audi is recalling nearly 5,000 cars in Europe for a software repair after finding they emitted excessive nitrogen oxide, the polluting gas that parent Volkswagen hidden from U.S. regulators in its 2015 dieselgate scandal.

The luxury automaker stated on Thursday it had reported the issue to Germany’s road transport authority KBA, which was worried about the possible illegal manipulation of emission levels.

The KBA had no instant comment.

Audi stated it would update the software of the 4,997 A8 models with 4.2 litre V8 diesel motor, of these 3,660 are in Germany and were made between September 2013 and August 2017.

The software updates will possibly be available in the first quarter of next year after winter testing.

“To name a few things, the upgrade should make sure that after cold begins the engine more quickly reaches optimal operating conditions for the exhaust-gas treatment system so that its emissions are enhanced in real driving conditions,” it stated.

“During the testing, it will be guaranteed that the new software has no downsides for consumers in terms of fuel consumption or performance.”