Auto News 5

Over the past few years, hybrid and diesel powertrains have become available in many different cars. Usually, they're version is more expensive than the standard, gasoline engine. We wondered, do you actually recoup their extra cost, and if so, how long does it take?

I was on the Ford Flex EcoBoost launch in Boulder, Colorado where we got to steer these crossovers around mountain bends. The low ride height gives the Flex a serious handling advantage over the other crossovers in this class. The turbocharged Flex offers some serious grip and power. Of course, this is still a big, heavy crossover riding on relatively soft springs, so it does lean in turns.

Chevrolet hasn’t even acknowledged its existence, but the engineers at Ford’s Special Vehicle Team know that a supercharged Chevrolet Camaro Z28 is on its way. That car could be the first direct competitor to the Ford Shelby GT500, as its closest competitors today either come up short in horsepower (Dodge Challenger SRT8, Camaro SS) or fit into an entirely different class of car (Chevrolet Corvette). To combat the Camaro Z28 before it even arrives, Ford has freshened its hottest Mustang, making it a leaner, more powerful, and more agile muscle car.