Audi software can distort emissions in tests, VW says

Audi cars with automatic transmissions have technology capable of distorting emissions when they are tested, Volkswagen (VOWG_p.DE) said, as its luxury flagship is battling allegations over a reported discovery of a new cheat software device.

Germany's Bild am Sonntag newspaper said a week ago that the California Air Resources Board (CARB) had this summer discovered cheating software in an older Audi model, which is unrelated to the device that triggered last year's diesel emissions test-cheating scandal at parent VW.

The software in CARB's discovery lowered carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by detecting whether a car's steering wheel was turned as it would be when driving on a road and was used in diesel and petrol models in Europe for years, Bild had said. read more »

Volvo recalls 74,000 U.S. vehicles for seat belt risk

Volvo is recalling about 74,000 U.S. vehicles for an issue that might cause a seat belt to inadequately restrain passengers in a crash.

The recall impacts Volvo S60, S90, V60, XC60 and XC90 vehicles from the 2016-17 model years, Volvo spokesman Jim Nichols said.

Nichols said the issue is caused by a connecting pin in the seat belt buckle, which could cause the seat belt to work inadequately during a crash. read more »