German watchdog investigates Porsche concerning emissions software

Germany’s transportation watchdog is investigating if Volkswagen’s Porsche brand is using illegal software to cheat on emissions tests, Wirtschaftswoche reported on Friday.

The KBA motor vehicle authority is analyzing whether Porsche is using steering wheel motions to spot whether its vehicles are on the test bed, the report stated.

Germany’s transport ministry alleged Volkswagen high-end department Audi of using illegal software on some A7 and A8 models. The automobiles in question discharge excess nitrogen oxides when the steering wheel is turned over 15 degrees, the ministry stated.

According to the Reuters, Porsche stated that “We can verify for all Porsche models: We are not using steering movements for the sake of discovering a test bench driving cycle and responding to it,” by e-mail.

The KBA deferred to the transport ministry for remark, but the ministry didn’t respond to requests for comment.