Bosch reportedly warned Volkswagen about illegal emissions software in 2007

By Andrew Hard Published September 28, 2015

When Volkswagen’s recent emissions scandal hit the airwaves, the reaction was a mix of shock, disappointment, and anger. The so-called “defeat device” the brand installed in nearly 500,000 U.S.-bound diesel vehicles allowed them to emit up to 40 times more nitrogen oxide than the law permits, and the pollutant has been linked to a wide variety of health issues such as asthma and bronchitis.

To make matters worse, it appears that Volkswagen was warned about the illegality of the software as far back as 2007. According to a report by Automotive News — which features information from German newspapers Bild am Sonntag and Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung — the German brand was notified by none other than Robert Bosch about the repercussions of the defeat device some eight years ago.

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The Bosch name is particularly important because the company — one of the largest engineering and electronics firms in the world — supplied Volkswagen with certain components that are at the center of the current scandal, but it did so for testing purposes only. Bild am Sonntag claims that Bosch told the carmaker that using the technology in a production vehicle was unlawful, but it appears the manufacturer did not heed the advice. Additionally, an engineer inside Volkswagen reportedly warned company brass about the risks back in 2011.

The origins of the scandal can be traced back to 2005, when former Volkswagen CEO Wolfgang Bernhard commissioned the development of a new diesel engine for the U.S. market. A prototype was developed in 2006, but it did not meet the United States’ strict emissions standards.

Some manufacturers, such as Mercedes-Benz, use a selective catalytic reduction system involving high-purity urea to reduce the concentration of nitrogen oxide in diesel exhaust fumes. The application was apparently deemed too expensive for Volkswagen at the time, who was going through a companywide cost-cutting exercise. The defeat device was then installed to fool the EPA’s emissions tests, which could eventually cost Volkswagen up to $18 billion in fines.

Former Staff Writer

Andrew first started writing in middle school and hasn't put the pen down since. Whether it's technology, music, sports, or…

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Electric Muscle Misfire? Dodge Pulls Charger Daytona R/T from 2026 Lineup

electric muscle misfire dodge pulls charger daytona r t from 2026 lineup all new

The Dodge Charger Daytona R/T, once hailed as the vanguard of Dodge’s electric muscle car future, is being dropped for the 2026 model year.
According to a report from MoparInsiders, the Scat Pack variant will now lead the Daytona lineup, marking a significant pivot in Stellantis’ EV strategy.
Originally introduced with bold ambitions, the Charger Daytona R/T was designed to offer an accessible gateway into electric performance. With its 456-horsepower dual-motor setup and optional 509-horsepower Direct Connection stage kit, it seemed poised to excite both muscle car fans and EV newcomers. However, market realities have painted a different picture.
Industry and media reports highlight the core issue: buyers just weren’t biting. Despite its impressive specs and nostalgic design cues, the R/T struggled to justify its price tag, starting near $60,000. At that level, buyers expected either more performance or more premium features. Without strong sales traction, Dodge made the tough call to shelve the R/T variant for 2026, opting instead to focus on trims that resonate better with customers.
As we reported in December, the Charger EV was launched with an off-beat marketing message to “save the planet from self-driving sleep pods.” The goal was to retain Dodge’s brand identity—muscle, aggression, and driver engagement—even in the electric era. The Charger Daytona R/T was supposed to be the perfect balance of price and performance, but it seems the target audience wasn’t ready to make that leap at that price.
Importantly, this doesn’t spell the end of the Charger Daytona altogether. Higher-performance models like the Scat Pack and Banshee are still in the pipeline and, interestingly, are being adjusted for price competitiveness. Several trims are reportedly seeing price cuts, suggesting Stellantis is serious about making these vehicles more appealing and accessible.
For enthusiasts, the takeaway is clear: the electric muscle car isn’t going anywhere, but automakers are still figuring out how to sell it. The demise of the R/T is less a failure and more a recalibration—proof that even the boldest plans need to stay flexible in the face of consumer demand.

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2026 Cadillac Vistiq front-quarter view.

Cadillac wants a full lineup of electric vehicles, and it’s nearly there. It has a standard crossover SUV (the Lyriq), an entry-level model (the Optiq), an electric version of its flagship Escalade (the Escalade IQ), and even a baroque showpiece (the Celestiq). But something’s missing.

For a modern luxury brand, a midsize three-row crossover is key. Customers for whom a Toyota Highlander is too déclassé need something to take their kids to lacrosse practice, but may not want something as big as an Escalade. This isn’t the most exciting design brief, and that’s reflected in the gasoline Cadillac XT6, which has always felt like nothing more than a placeholder. Its new electric counterpart, the 2026 Cadillac Vistiq, is anything but.

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2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 front quarter view.

Hyundai has used the clean-sheet nature of electric powertrains to make new vehicles radically different from its internal-combustion models, but what happens when the best thing a new car can be is ordinary? The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 is a three-row SUV that, to succeed, needs to prioritize space and an effortless ownership experience over radical styling or sports-car driving dynamics. That doesn’t leave much room for creativity, but Hyundai has done its best by giving the Ioniq 9 futuristic styling combined with the proven E-GMP dedicated EV platform from its other Ioniq models and the Kia EV9. The enthusiastic response to the EV9, from Hyundai’s sibling brand, shows why, despite having two gasoline three-row SUVs in its lineup already, Hyundai needed an all-electric one as well.

Another daring design from Hyundai