Porsche Has Been Sucked Into The Volkswagen Vortex

Call Olivia Pope. This scandal is blowin’ up.

According to Fortune, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has begun investigating 3.0-litre V6 diesel engines produced between 2014 and 2016 by Volkswagen, dragging high-end models such as the Porsche Cayenne and a number of luxury Audis into the VW scandal.

In September, Volkswagen CEO Martin Winterkorn stepped down when it was revealed his company had been cheating on their emissions tests with the help of a sneaky little device in their cars. (The carmaker had installed a switch that only turned its pollution controls on when it knew it was being tested.)

The “glitch” was discovered by a quartet of students and researchers, resulting in the recall of 8.5 million cars in the European Union alone and a potential loss of $77 billion (a combination of fines and a drop in the company’s valuation).

Though it has long been known the VW-owned Audis and Skodas would need to be re-evaluated, this new suggestion by the EPA that the Porsche Cayenne has the same controversial switch is ruffling feathers.

The company says “no software has been installed in the 3-litre V6 diesel power units to alter emissions characters in a forbidden manner.” However, they have agreed to cooperate with the EPA in their investigation. It’s probably for the best, given that the EPA notes these newly-cited luxury vehicles have one or more devices that went undisclosed when the company applied for a certificate of conformity.

Volkswagen have set aside a hefty sum of cash to cover their fines, but Fortune suggests any damage to the Audi or Porsche brands might require a lot more moolah.

This. Isn't. Over.