Volkswagen devised and installed a code functioning as a “defeat device” to sense when one of its diesel vehicles was being tested for nitrogen oxide emissions. Once a test was detected, the software would reduce torque and NOx emissions. When the vehicle wasn’t being tested for emissions, the car would be guided by a separate program that would increase acceleration, torque, and fuel economy. Thus being unethical and, obviously, illegal. The defeat device was first discovered Sept. 18 in a University of West Virginia lab. Researchers tested the emissions of several diesel cars made by Volkswagen and found the cars' actual emissions were as much as 40 times greater than the safe legal limit the software had been reporting. Volkswagen has been
