Affected models include 5- and 7-Series sedans manufactured from 2012 to 2017, which featured high-performance diesel engines and 3 turbochargers each.
“In the course of internal tests, the BMW Group has discovered that a correctly developed software update was mistakenly assigned to certain unsuitable model-versions,” the company said in a statement. “The BMW Group informed the relevant authorities immediately.”
BMW went public with the news after an article published in Der Spiegel suggested that the automaker had installed software which allowed the vehicles to manipulate emissions of harmful gases, such as nitrogen oxide (NOx), a claim that BMW has fervently denied since Volkswagen was exposed in a massive coverup.
VW in January reached a multi-billion-dollar settlement with the U.S. government after it was found that the automaker had installed “defeat devices” on its diesel vehicles designed to game emissions testing.
“Dieselgate”, as it became known, forced Volkswagen to set aside a staggering 25.8 billion euros ($31.7 billion) to cover fines and related costs, of which it has paid out nearly 20 billion euros.
It is unclear where the affected BMWs were sold, but the automaker has pledged to cooperate with authorities to mitigate the situation as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Source: CarBuzz