Porsche Powertrain Boss Arrested Over Diesel Emissions Scandal

Well, that's not great (for Porsche).

Following investigations earlier this week, German police have arrested Porsche’s powertrain development boss as part of ongoing investigations into Volkswagen’s diesel emissions scandal. According to Reuters, Joerg Kerner is being held on remand as he is seen as a potential flight risk after prosecutors searched 10 premises in Bavaria and Baden-Wuerttemberg as part of their inquiries into Porsche's involvement into the ongoing Volkswagen emissions scandal.

Kerner originally joined Audi from Robert Bosch in 2004. He’s the man responsible for building up Audi's engine and transmission electronics design and software development division, where it’s believed that the software that enabled VW to rig up to 11 million diesel engines to hide high emissions was first developed.Additionally, Kerner worked closely with VW Group's former top engineer Wolfgang Hatz, who was arrested lastyear,and was regarded as the confidant of former Volkswagen Group CEO Matthias Mueller, who was also previously Porsche’s CEO. The latest arrest has resulted from information given to prosecutors by former Audi manager Giovanni Pamio.

The engine developer has been a steady source of information and has testified against colleagues as a key prosecution witness. For its part, Porsche is denying the allegations with Porsche CEO Oliver Blume vowing to do what it can to clear up the matter. Earlier this year, prosecutors widened an investigation of Audi, which was responsible for developing the illicit software used on 3.0-liter V6 diesel engines that was equipped in roughly 80,000 VW, Audi and Porsche models.

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Porsche Powertrain Boss Arrested Over Diesel Emissions Scandal

Well, that's not great (for Porsche).

Following investigations earlier this week, German police have arrested Porsche’s powertrain development boss as part of ongoing investigations into Volkswagen’s diesel emissions scandal. According to Reuters, Joerg Kerner is being held on remand as he is seen as a potential flight risk after prosecutors searched 10 premises in Bavaria and Baden-Wuerttemberg as part of their inquiries into Porsche's involvement into the ongoing Volkswagen emissions scandal.

Kerner originally joined Audi from Robert Bosch in 2004. He’s the man responsible for building up Audi's engine and transmission electronics design and software development division, where it’s believed that the software that enabled VW to rig up to 11 million diesel engines to hide high emissions was first developed.Additionally, Kerner worked closely with VW Group's former top engineer Wolfgang Hatz, who was arrested lastyear,and was regarded as the confidant of former Volkswagen Group CEO Matthias Mueller, who was also previously Porsche’s CEO. The latest arrest has resulted from information given to prosecutors by former Audi manager Giovanni Pamio.

The engine developer has been a steady source of information and has testified against colleagues as a key prosecution witness. For its part, Porsche is denying the allegations with Porsche CEO Oliver Blume vowing to do what it can to clear up the matter. Earlier this year, prosecutors widened an investigation of Audi, which was responsible for developing the illicit software used on 3.0-liter V6 diesel engines that was equipped in roughly 80,000 VW, Audi and Porsche models.

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Did Porsche Rig Cayman R Emissions To Help Lower Road Tax?

The investigation is now underway.

Back in 2011, Porsche unveiled the ultimate version of the previous generation Cayman, the Cayman R. It was lighter, more powerful, and faster than that generation’s Cayman S. Perhaps one day it’ll be become a highly sought after collectible. However, we’ve just heard about yet another possible emissions test scandal, this time in the UK. And yes, it involves the Cayman R. According to The Times, suspicion that something was up began during a legal case for an unrelated safety issue when the car was driven in second gear.

When in that gear, the revs would remain lower, thus letting the Cayman R’s 3.4-liter flat-six to produce less C02 than if it was driven off the line in first gear. This resulted in the car producing 221 g/km (grams per kilometer), while in the rest of Europe it was rated at 228 g/km. That 7 g/km difference meant the Cayman R was classified in a lower road tax level in the UK, which meant owners paid a 315 GBP yearly road tax, instead of a 540 GBP tax required for cars that emit 226-255 g/km. This rating system has since been replaced, but that doesn’t change the fact that something isn’t right here. In fact, this issue may involve more Porsches than just the 981 generation Cayman R.

Also from that same generation, this issue potentially affects the Boxster S, Boxster Spyder, and Cayman S. Up to 1,500 UK owners could have paid a lower road tax than legally required, but at no fault of their own. If so, the British treasury would have lost some 3 million GBP in revenue. For now, Porsche refuses to comment on the situation, blaming ongoing legal proceedings. Up until now, Porsche was only affected by the VW diesel scandal with, obviously, diesel engines. But the Porsche Cayman R and those other 981 generation models, are definitely not diesels.

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