2017 Audi A4
Audi of America has decided
to scrap the optional 2-litre diesel engine for the redesigned 2017 A4 sedan.
Gee, we wonder why.
Volkswagen’s subsidiaries
are suffering the aftermath of the German company’s freak-diesel scandal,
although Audi of America President Scott Keogh told Autonews that the decision
was made in the last six months, reflecting the lower-demand for diesel-engine
variants.
According to the Audi
official, “pulling the plug” on diesel variants was not the result of VW’s ongoing
negotiations with U.S. regulators about its 2.0-litre engines. “The marketplace
speaks, we listen to the marketplace, and the marketplace told us, 'Go with
SUVs,’” Keogh said.
Nevertheless, Audi’s
2.0-litre mills are manufactured by Volkswagen, and the latter currently has an
embargo on selling new diesel models in the U.S, especially after the company’s
proposed fix regarding these powerplants was rejected by federal regulators.
According to Audi, In the
first six months of last year, diesel models accounted for roughly 6 to 8
percent of Audi’s A6, A7 and A8 sedans.
Audi is currently in
discussions with Environmental Protection Agency regarding its 3.0-litre V6,
used in its larger sedans and crossovers.
