Audi says 2.1 million cars affected by diesel emissions scandal

BERLIN (Bloomberg) -- Audi said 2.1 million of its diesel-powered cars, including best-sellers such as the A4 sedan and Q5 sport utility vehicle, are equipped with software implicated in an emissions-testing scandal that has engulfed parent company Volkswagen Group.

"We are working at full speed to find a technical solution," said Audi spokesman Juergen de Graeve. "Once we have that solution, we will write to customers and we will upgrade the cars so that they are within emissions regulations.

About 1.42 million Audi vehicles with Euro 5 diesel engines are affected in Western Europe, with 577,000 in Germany and almost 13,000 in the U.S., Audi said.

The Audi models that need to be upgraded include the A1, A3, A4, A5, A6 sedans, the TT roadster and the Q3 and Q5 SUVs with 1.6-liter and 2-liter diesel engines.

With many car components including engines shared across brands that include Seat, Skoda, Porsche and Audi, Volkswagen said a total of 11 million vehicles -- more than the company sells in a year -- are affected globally.

About 5 million of these are VW brand cars, VW said in a statement on Friday. The cars include sixth-generation VW Golfs, seventh-generation Passats and first-generation Tiguans that are equipped with type EA 189 diesel engines.

VW's Czech division, Skoda, said 1.2 million of its cars are affected.