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Recharge Wrap-up: Audi 'Plugging In' video, Citroen e-Mehari rumors

Audi is sponsoring the Newport Folk Festival with its "Plugging In" campaign. In celebration of the event, a video shows the history of the festival, and how plugging in the electric guitar changed music, similar to the way plugging in an electric vehicle changes the way we think about transportation. The video is focuses entirely on music, but at the end, we get the (ahem) plug from Audi: "Audi A3 Sportback e-tron — Plugging In Across America." Watch it above. The first image from Tesla's Firmware 7.0 update has made its way online. The photo shows what appears to be Tesla's new Autopilot feature. The view of the display also suggests that beta testing is happening on main roads between San Francisco and Tesla's home in the tech hub of Silicon Valley. See the photo and read more at Teslarati. The IRS has published a notice regarding its tax code overseeing the treatment of biodiesel credits. It says that, among other things, claimants must reduce their income tax deduction by the amount of the credits given for alternative fuel used or sold during a given quarter in 2014. Biodiesel producers and blenders were eligible for a tax credit of $1.00 per gallon. Read the notice from the IRS, or learn more from Biofuels Digest. Rumors suggest that Citroen will unveil a concept EV based on the C4 Cactus and classic Mehari at the Frankfurt Motor Show. L'Automobile Magazine is reporting that the French automaker has registered the name "e-Mehari," leading to speculation — and even a goofy rendering — from L'Automobile. There has been no official acknowledgement of the e-Mehari from Citroen, so let's not get too excited yet (especially you, Mr. Ewing). Read more from Technologic Vehicles, or in the (Google-translated) post from L'Automobile Magazine. Related Gallery 2015 Citroen C4 Cactus View 32 Photos News Source: YouTube: Newport Folk Festival, Teslarati, Biofuels Digest, IRS, Technologic Vehicles, L'Automobile Magazine Government/Legal Green Marketing/Advertising Rumormill Audi Tesla Citroen Alternative Fuels Biodiesel Concept Cars Electric Videos recharge wrapup

Ford tumbles to second worst in Consumer Reports reliability survey, list dominated by Japanese [w/video]

It's no secret that MyFord Touch has had its share of problems since being introduced, but the most recent reliability survey from Consumer Reports shows just how much this infotainment system has affected Ford. Just two years ago, the automaker was in the top 10 for the institute's reliability rankings, but since then, it has tumbled to the second-lowest rung just above dead-last Jaguar. In addition to MyFord Touch, CR also attributes a handful of new products that have had issues right out of the gate.
Compiled from 1.2 million subscriber surveys, this year's auto reliability survey heavily favors Japanese automakers, with eight of the 10 spots hailing from Japan. Toyota brands grabbed the top three spots (Scion, Toyota and Lexus - in that order) with Mazda, Subaru, Honda and Acura filling the next four spots. The only non-Asian automaker cracking the top 10 was Audi at number eight.
Audi climbed a total of 18 spots from last year, and Cadillac and GMC round out this year's top gainers breaking into the top 15. Helping Cadillac's upward movement, the CTS Coupe was named the most reliable domestic car. Lincoln, Volvo and Chrysler join Ford on this year's biggest loser list.

Which would you rather have, Audi's RS5 or Mercedes' C63 AMG 507?

If you're in the market for a German sports coupe with a naturally aspirated V8, run, don't walk, to your nearest dealer because they are going to be gone very soon. European fuel economy and emissions rules have conspired to force automakers into seeking forced-induction mills. Motor Trend personality Jonny Lieberman is hosting the retirement party in the latest Head 2 Head video, where he takes on the 2014 Audi RS5 and 2014 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Edition 507 to decide which is the ultimate Teutonic V8.
To make the decision harder, Lieberman challenges the duo on the first soaking wet roads that Southern California has seen in ages. It forces the coupes to confront some of the actual weather that the rest of the country encounters regularly and serves to even the playing field somewhat between the charismatic rear-drive Mercedes-Benz and the all-wheel drive Audi.
It really is the end of an era for these coupes. The next Audi RS4 is rumored to switch to a twin-turbo V6, and while Mercedes won't officially admit it, the next C-Class AMG will likely switch to a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8. And we already know the next BMW M3/M4 will rely on a 425-horsepower, 3.0-liter inline-six. Let's enjoy these eight-cylinder German giants while we can, and scroll down to watch the video.