In a recent statement, Volkswagen says the software is an auxiliary emissions control device, which is a common feature in vehicles that regulate engine performance and affect emissions.
According to Grundler, such software is legal if its functions can be observed during testing and it is properly disclosed to the agency. He added that one common use for such software is to protect the engine from sustaining damage due to overheating.
Not counting the issue on its diesel engine variant, the 2016 Volkswagen Passat has been generating positive reviews after its official unveiling last month because of its more aggressive styling. The styling aggressiveness is highlighted by slimmer headlamps, slightly enlarged upper grille, resculpted front and rear bumpers, and a new bulge sculpted into the hood.
But it is actually in the dashboard where the 2016 Passat has had the most significant improvements as its infotainment system has been replaced with Volkswagen’s second-generation modular infotainment platform (MIB II).
It features a multi-touch display that can be swiped and pinched like a smartphone, a proximity sensitive interface that reveals soft keys along the lower edge of the screen as the user’s hand approaches the screen. It also has the automaker’s Car-Net telematics and App-Connect tech with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and MirrorLink smartphone connectivity.