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Recharge Wrap-up: Atieva making EV with former Tesla talent, Holland lowers PHEV incentives

A reduction of tax incentives on company cars in Holland is expected to put the brakes on plug-in hybrid sales. Cars are taxed at an average of 25 percent, with plug-in hybrids taxed at just seven or 14 percent, depending on emissions. Taxes on PHEV company cars will increase to 14 and 21 percent. With company car leases making up a third of vehicle sales in 2014, the uptake on PHEVs "will likely go back to regular volumes," according to Volvo's Christiaan Krouwel. It could be a boon for battery electric cars, as their tax rate will remain at four percent for company cars. Read more at Automotive News Europe. Ford is testing cylinder deactivation in its 1.0-liter EcoBoost engine. On-road prototype testing has shown improvements in fuel economy of as much as six percent. Ford engineers developed a system using a new dual mass flywheel, pendulum absorber, and tuned clutch disc to allow cylinder deactivation under a wider range of speed and engine loads with less NVH. "The highest priority in the development of new combustion engines for automotive applications is the ongoing reduction of fuel consumption," says Ford's Andreas Schamel, presenting Ford's findings to the Vienna Motor Symposium. Read more at Green Car Congress or in the press release from Ford. Atieva is building an EV with the help of numerous former Tesla employees. The Silicon Valley-based startup was founded in 2007 by a former Tesla vice president, and its roster includes 12 other former Tesla employees. Already well funded, Atieva is now looking to fill its ranks with more talent, with 32 engineering positions, two recruiter positions and other job openings posted at its website. As for the EV it is working on, Atieva says it is "redefining what a car can be, by building an iconic new vehicle from the ground up." Read more at Charged EVs. Testing shows that Joule ethanol, made from recycled CO2, meets standards for use in the US and Europe. In partnership with Audi, Joule has been working toward making its recycled CO2 fuels ready for commercialization. "We are pleased to achieve another critical step towards our planned near-term delivery of fuel-grade ethanol from recycled CO2," says Joule President and CEO Serge Tchuruk. "Using waste CO2 as a feedstock, our technology has the two-fold advantage of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and producing cost-competitive, drop-in fuels." Joule will use these test results to get government approval for the use of its ethanol in highway fuel.

Ford reflects on radical Mustang concept that never reached showrooms

The Ford Mustang that we all know and love made major waves in the auto industry way back in 1964 by offering style and reasonable pricing with optional V8 power. Its long hood and short rear deck, combined with a low-slung and sporty cockpit, made a lasting impression in the minds of consumers and car designers alike, and its basic shape has so endured the test of time that it's still in use today.
This being the case, you may be interested to know that the first Mustang of 1964.5 wasn't actually the first Mustang at all, being preceded by a concept car that made its public debut in 1962. This concept was nothing like the car that would eventually make it into production, with a radical wedge shape and a small V4 engine sitting behind the car's two occupants, driving the rear wheels. In other words, the conceptual Mustang was pretty much the complete opposite of the production Mustang besides the name.
Ford has kindly decided go through its massive archive to bring the original Mustang concept back into the public eye. The company goes so far as to pose this question to fans of the pony car: "Should we borrow a few of these style elements for the next iteration of the Mustang?" Check out our image gallery above and then let 'em know what you think in the Comments below.

2015 Roush Stage 3 Mustang has 670 hp

My last speeding ticket was nearly two years ago while behind the wheel of a 2014 Roush Stage 3 Mustang. Considering the supercharged 5.0-liter V8 produced 575 horsepower – the lowest of the Stage 3's tunes – an encounter with the friendly folks at the Michigan State Police seemed inevitable. With the 2015 Stage 3 producing 95 more horsepower, if and when I drive the new supercharged 'Stang, another meeting with Michigan's finest seems likely. The combination of the Ford 5.0-liter V8 and a 2.3-liter TVS supercharger turns out 670 horsepower, which should have owners of the weightier Dodge Challenger Hellcat at least a bit nervous. All that power is complemented by 545 pound-feet of torque and what is almost certainly an ear-shattering exhaust note from the quad-tip pipes. On top of the RS3's trademark sound and speed, Roush has fitted the sixth-generation Mustang's body with a new "R7" aero kit that actually looks toned down from last year's car. 20-inch "Quicksilver" wheels are standard, although Roush is offering a pair of optional designs. Either way, Cooper RS3 tires are the rubber of choice. Prices for the Roush Stage 3 Mustang start at $21,995, not including the $32,300 starting price of a Mustang GT donor car. Scroll down for the official press release. Related Video: ROUSH Stage 3 Mustang Produces 670 HP May 7, 2015 – PLYMOUTH, MICHIGAN – ROUSH Performance is excited to announce final horsepower ratings for the all-new 2015 ROUSH Stage 3 Mustang. The RS3 is cranking out a heart-racing 670 horsepower and 545 lb-ft of torque to deliver the ultimate driving experience. All 670 horsepower are created as a direct result of the powerful combination of Ford's 5.0L V8 engine with ROUSH Performance's dynamic new 2015 2.3L TVS supercharger. The new ROUSH Mustang's generous power ratings impeccably compliment the RS3's list of standard and optional features, including the ROUSH Quad-Tip exhaust (with optional ROUSH Active Exhaust System), standard single-adjustable coilover suspension system (or optional competition-tuned 3-way adjustable system), and the fierce new "R7" aerobody. The 2015 ROUSH Stage 3 Mustang is not just a car – it's an experience. The RS3 truly bridges the gap between road car and race car, putting drivers behind the wheel of the ultimate uninhibited muscle car.