Volkswagen's premium brand Audi is recalling almost 5,000 cars across Europe to fix excessive nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions.

A Reuters report said the automaker had reported the recall to German road transport regulator KBA, which was concerned about the possible illegal manipulation of emission levels, but the body did not comment immediately to the news agency.

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Audi via dealers would update software in 4,997 A8 model vehicles with V8 diesel engines, of which 3,660 were in Germany and made between September 2013 and August 2017.

The software updates likely would be available in the first quarter of 2018 after winter testing, Audi told Reuters.

"Among other things, the update should ensure that after cold starts the engine more quickly reaches optimal operating conditions for the exhaust gas treatment system so that its emissions are improved in real driving conditions," it said.

"During the testing, it will be ensured that the new software has no disadvantages for customers in terms of fuel consumption or performance."

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