Illegal changes to engines: Porsche investigates suspected manipulation

There were allegedly illegal changes to Porsche models developed between 2008 and 2013 after their type approval. According to a report, not only the exhaust systems, but also the hardware and software of engine components should be affected.

According to a newspaper report, the sports car manufacturer Porsche has been investigating a suspicion of manipulation internally since June: According to information from "Bild am Sonntag" (BamS), illegal changes to hardware and software are said to have been made in series production of gasoline engines – and only after the so-called Approval typification of the Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA). It's not just about exhaust systems, but also about engine components.

Porsche itself has reported the suspicion to the KBA and the responsible public prosecutor in Stuttgart as well as the authorities in the USA. A Porsche spokesman told the newspaper: "We confirm that Porsche is conducting internal investigations." You are in close coordination with various authorities. "The topics are systematically and consistently clarified." At the moment, employees are being asked for discussions, meeting minutes and hundreds of thousands of emails are being examined for clues.

A senior Porsche manager said: "We turn every stone around and follow up on every hint. If suspicions are confirmed, we act consistently in all matters."

According to BamS information from the internal tests, sports car engines are affected that were developed between 2008 and 2013, including those of the Panamera and the 911 series. Current production is not affected. Porsche sold 260,000 sports cars and SUVs last year. The Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) has officially launched an investigation. A spokesman for the BamS confirmed that the KBA, among other things, "carries out on-site investigations at the manufacturer Porsche".