Finnish Audi SQ5 undriveable after diesel update
The repercussions of the diesel emissions scandal are still being felt by car owners across Europe. In Finland, an Audi SQ5 TDI owner experienced significant issues after a mandatory update, rendering the vehicle nearly undriveable. Lawyer Theis Klauberg, who is actively pursuing compensation claims against several German car manufacturers, reports that similar cases are widespread.
A Finnish Audi SQ5 TDI owner had their vehicle updated earlier this year to comply with emissions regulations. Post-update, the vehicle’s performance deteriorated drastically. The torque curve was altered, making the car feel "dull" and underpowered.
In a recent discussion with Jan-Erik Berggren, Klauberg explained the technical and legal implications of such updates:
Technical Impact: The update shifted the car’s torque curve to improve NOx emissions, resulting in reduced engine performance. This is a common tactic used to meet emissions standards but often leads to higher fuel consumption and less satisfactory driving experience.
Legal Perspective: Klauberg asserts that it is practically impossible to manufacture a diesel engine that fully complies with Euro 6 standards without such detrimental adjustments. He continues to lead efforts for compensation claims against manufacturers who have defrauded consumers.
Widespread Issues: Klauberg's law firm has documented numerous cases where similar updates have negatively impacted vehicle performance. In some instances, car owners have received significant compensation through out-of-court settlements. For example, a Volkswagen Golf Sportsvan owner in Austria was awarded €65,000 earlier this year.
Call to Action for Swedish Car Owners: Swedish owners of diesel cars and vans, especially models from 2014 onwards, are urged to join the group action. Approximately 300 Swedish car owners have already joined Klauberg's collective legal action against German manufacturers. Klauberg encourages more Swedish diesel car owners to participate in the class action to seek rightful compensation.