Audi recalls 850,000 diesel cars for software update to ‘improve emissions’ as toxic fears grow
Audi follows Mercedes by recalling thousands of diesel models to clean up their act
AUDI is the latest manufacturer to issue a diesel recall with 850,000 toxic models being offered an update to slash emissions.
The "voluntary" action affects high-end estates, saloons and sportscars fitted with V6 and V8 engines - the majority sold in Europe.
The German maker couldn't confirm how many were sold in the UK but it's expected to run into thousands.
It also includes Porsche and VW models fitted with the same six and eight-cylinder Euro 5 and Euro 6 diesel engines.
The software update is aimed at reducing emissions in urban areas where nitrogen oxides are a huge problem for diesels.
Work is expected to take around an hour and be free of charge - although there's no date on when the work will start.
Audi spokesman Udo Rügheimer said the move was to try and restore confidence in diesel and ensure it has a future.
He said: "Audi intends to reduce overall emissions, especially in urban areas. We are convinced that this program will counteract possible bans on vehicles with diesel engines.
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"We aim to maintain the future viability of diesel engines for our customers and to make a contribution towards improving air quality."
The recall is on top of the 1.2million vehicles previously recalled by the VW Group during the "defeat device" scandal almost two years.
The process is still ongoing and since then diesels have taken a battering from all angles with many cities threatening bans on older diesels unless pollution fixes are applied.
Just two days ago Mercedes recalled three million models to cut toxic gases with as many as 300,000 affected in the UK.
Measures applied to nearly all Euro 5 and Euro 6 vehicles including anything from the compact A-Class up to luxury execs like the E-Class.
Volvo said it would ditch diesel from 2019 in favour of plug-in hybrids while the UK government is pressing ahead with clean air zones in cities, parking surcharges for diesels and potential pay-per-mile road pricing.
France has also announced it’ll stop the sale of diesels AND petrols from 2040 while many manufacturers - including Renault - are ditching small diesel units as they're not cost effective.
Audi owners will be hoping this latest recall doesn't affect performance of their engines after reported problems with the VW update.
Thousands of owners said cars were losing power AFTER having work carried out.
Arndt Ellinghorst, an analyst at investment bank Evercore ISI, said there could be many more of these fixes to come.
He added: "What Audi and Mercedes have announced is just the tip of the iceberg. All other carmakers will follow and offer improvements to the engine management software.
"If this isn't an industry-wide action, city driving bans might be the painful alternative."