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Welcome Audi RS6 Avant, goodbye Lincoln Continental | Autoblog Podcast #592

In this week's Autoblog Podcast, Editor-in-Chief Greg Migliore is joined by Senior Editor, Green, John Beltz Snyder and Assistant Editor Zac Palmer. Our editors cover a lot this week, starting with the news. They geek out over the Audi RS6 Avant coming to America, and mourn the loss of the Lincoln Continental. They address rumors of the Toyota Land Cruiser's demise, and analyze spy photos of the Ford Mach E electric crossover. They also honor the memory of the godfather of spy photography, Jim Dunne. Finally, they talk about driving the BMW Z4, Ram 1500 EcoDiesel, and another diesel, the diesel-powered Mazda CX-5 Skyactiv-D. Autoblog Podcast #592 Get The Podcast iTunes – Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes RSS – Add the Autoblog Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator MP3 – Download the MP3 directly Rundown Audi RS6 Avant headed to U.S. Lincoln Continental discontinued Rumor: Toyota Land Cruiser to be canceled Ford Mach E spied RIP spy photographer Jim Dunne Cars we're driving: 2019 BMW Z4 sDrive30i 2020 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel 2019 Mazda CX-5 Diesel Feedback Email – Podcast@Autoblog.com Review the show on iTunes Related Video:      

These are the 'Greenest' and 'Meanest' cars in 2015

As has become tradition, the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) has come up with a ranking of what it refers to as the "greenest" cars of 2015, and, by way of contrast, a list of the so-called "meanest" cars, so those who value eco-friendliness over all else can choose which vehicles they should or should not consider buying. As you may expect, electric cars make up the majority of the greenest cars on the list, but, perhaps surprisingly to many, the Tesla Model S didn't make the cut. It's worth noting, too, that where the electricity an owner uses to charge their electric vehicle has a big impact on its overall environmental impact. "A car that is charged using electricity generated from natural gas or renewables is going to have significantly less impact on the environment than one charged on a coal-heavy grid," says ACEEE lead vehicle analyst Shruti Vaidyanathan. The ACEEE's list for 2015 looks very different than it did in 2014. It's an interesting collection, though – and we're sure this goes without saying, really – we'd recommend doing a bit more research into each vehicle and how it might fit into your daily life before making any purchase decisions. Click here to see the ACEEE's list of the Greenest and Meanest vehicles sold in the United States in 2015. Green Bugatti Chevrolet Fiat GM GMC Mercedes-Benz Nissan RAM smart Toyota greenest greenest cars

Ram recalling 1,747 diesel trucks for short-circuit risk

Diesel-powered Ram owners, it's recall time. Fiat Chrysler Automobiles has announced a voluntary recall of 1,747 Ram 1500 EcoDiesels from model years 2014 and 2015. Why so few? Well, this campaign is limited to just rear-wheel-drive models. The problem, this time around, is with a battery wiring harness that will chafe against a bracket if it wasn't assembled properly. This chaffing can lead to a short, causing a loss of power (the best-case scenario) or even a fire (probably the worst-case scenario). Fortunately, FCA is unaware of any accidents, fires, or other injuries caused by short circuits. The affected vehicles were sold in both the US and Canadian markets, although the vast majority of the trucks, 1,697 to be precise, are here in the land of the free and home of the brave. The remaining 50 vehicles were sold in Canada, and were likely purchased by those crazy enough to drive a high-torque, rear-drive pickup in a country almost perpetually covered in snow and ice. Regardless of whether your truck has an illuminated dashboard warning light or not, FCA is encouraging drivers of the affected vehicles to report to dealers for a free service when they receive a recall notice. Scroll down for the official press release from FCA, as well as the bulletin from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Statement: Wiring Harness September 9, 2015 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - FCA US LLC is recalling an estimated 1,747 trucks in the U.S. and Canada to inspect, reroute and replace – as required – their wire harnesses to prevent a potential short-circuit. An investigation by FCA US discovered a battery wiring harness may chafe against a bracket if assembly protocols were not followed. This condition is limited to vehicles equipped with diesel engines and 4x2 drivelines. Such a condition has the potential to cause a short-circuit, which may lead to power loss or fire. The Company is unaware of any related injuries, accidents or fires. The campaign is limited to certain 2014-15 Ram 1500 pickups. It is estimated there are 1,697 in the U.S. and 50 in Canada. Affected customers will be advised next month when they may schedule service, which will be performed at no cost. While the condition may not be present in every vehicle, FCA US urges customers to note the information on their recall notices and respond accordingly. Illumination of a dashboard warning light is among the indicators that the condition is present.