Carroll Shelby and Ford Mustang. Two names that together have defined American muscle cars for an amazing 45 years. And this is their latest effort, the 2010 Ford Shelby GT500. With fresh hardware from Ford, and fresh inspiration from Shelby, it’s once again poised to conquer just about anything covered with asphalt. So, let’s get to it!

The story of the Ford Shelby GT500 began in 1967 with a menacing double dose of power and style.  Four decades later, in 2007, Carroll Shelby’s masterpiece was reborn in 21st century fashion. And for 2010, the Ford-Shelby partnership grows stronger as the latest GT500 is meaner than ever.

Pumping this stallion’s heart blood is the SVT limited edition GT500KR’s 5.4-liter Supercharged V8.  Horsepower is up 40 to 540, and torque is up 30 to 510 pound-feet over the previous model.  Peak output comes from an intercooled roots-type supercharger, now with nine pounds of added boost.

Sending heaps of power to a shorter 3.55 limited slip rear diff is a re-geared six-speed manual with its iconic cue ball shifter.

Down the long from straight of Savannah’s Roebling Road raceway, our Mustang roared to 60 in 4.5 seconds, and swallowed up the quarter mile in 12.9 seconds at 112 miles per hour.  The GT500’s fat power band delivers full tilt power all the way.  The exhaust growl combined with the supercharger whine doesn’t just sound scary, it’s flat-out nightmarish.

New SVT suspension tuning was aimed at improving the car’s dynamics. Also to help, new Goodyear F1 Supercar tires on special alloy wheels–19-inchers on the coupe, 18s on the convertible. Stability control is newly standard too, with normal and Sport modes, but can also be turned off.

But even with enhancements, the GT500's full throttle handling remains generally mediocre, especially compared to the Corvettes and Porsches of the world. In Roebling's tight turns, it comes off big and lumbering. With a minimum 3,900-pound curb weight, and relatively soft springs, we were surprised by so much front push and body roll.

But, back off a bit, say to about 80 percent max power, and everything changes. Now the GT500 maneuvers beautifully. Turn-ins are crisp and steering is very responsive. The GT500's power lets you blast out of corners, and the rear can easily be coaxed out by throttle with the ESP off. Also, the shifter works great on the track. Its pattern is tight and just right. And the pedal setup is perfect for "heel and toe" driving.

So, it's only when you push this pony car toward its limits that it scares you off. But that disappointment in a track test makes it one secure high performance car for the street. Indeed, the Shelby GT500 is the ideal backroad entertainer, and when the pavement gets rough, it won't shake your fillings loose like most track stars.

In terms of reeling it all in, the GT500's four-wheel disc ABS setup uses Brembo four-piston calipers up front. Stops were stable and averaged 130 feet, which is OK, but we expected better. Now onto the aggressive cosmetics, always a big part of a Shelby named effort. Most obvious are the signature twin racing stripes, now newly available on the droptop version.

For a meaner front-end, the hood and front fascia now shroud the waffled grille and lower air intake. The coiled Cobra is still there, but new is the front splitter and optional auto headlights. Follow the sharp but broken shoulder line back to a new lower-drag "Gurney Flap" rear spoiler and dual four-inch stainless exhaust tips.

Inside, the familiar four-seat twin-cockpit Mustang cabin is more refined than ever. This classic interior now displays far better materials and craftsmanship. The instrument panel features real aluminum to highlight the SVT-style gauge cluster. Sport seats are leather with embroidered snakes and new Alcantara racing stripe inserts that mimic those on the exterior.

The beefy three-spoke steering wheel wears a hissing snake as well. New technology for the GT500 includes Ford Sync with 911 Assist, as well as an SOS Post-Crash Alert System. And the standard Shaker stereo with CD-changer provides high octane tunes to accompany some serious performance driving. Being a Mustang, the GT500 does have rear seats, but they're way too tight for pretty much any adult to be comfortable.

But here's a surprise-Government Fuel Economy Ratings are 14 city/22 highway. So even with more power, the highway rating is 10% greener than last year. As to how much green you need to lay down, the Shelby GT500 starts at $48,575 for the coupe, and $53,575 for the convertible, which includes a $1000 gas guzzler tax. That's more than a base Corvette, but way less than a 911 or a Viper.

It's fast, it's mean, and it's historic. The 2010 Shelby GT500 is modern Detroit muscle in its purest form. On the track, we admit, it doesn't feel quite at home. But anywhere else, everywhere else, this classic beast rules the roads.

For those of you who write in every week bemoaning the fact that all we seem to do around here is test incredibly expensive cars and EVs that only the very well to do can afford, this one’s for you. It’s a commuter and budget friendly mainstay from Hyundai, the compact Elantra sedan. And, it has been nicely updated for 2024.

We clearly do enjoy driving high-performance machines and ultra-luxury rides around here, but like most of you, when it comes time to drive home at the end of a long workday, we do so in something much more practical and affordable, like this 2024 Hyundai Elantra sedan.

If you’re thinking the front end has gotten more aggressive, you’re right. Hyundai calls it a “Shark Nose” theme, and we’re guessing they were thinking more Great White than Hammerhead, though Megamouth shark would also apply. It helps for a low and wide look; more substantial than the typical compact. Other additions for ’24 include slimmer daytime running lights, revised stainless steel Hyundai emblem, reshaped front fenders, sport sedan-style rear diffuser with silver trim; a parametric pattern added to the C-Pillar, and new LED taillights that take up a lot more space on the highly sculpted decklid. Plus, new wheel designs in sizes ranging from 15- to 18-inches.

Standard engine in SE, SEL, and Limited grades is this naturally aspirated 2.0-liter I4 with 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque. Even with no hybrid assistance, it gets substantial Government Fuel Economy Ratings of 31 City, 40 Highway, and 34 Combined; we averaged a great 38.6 mpg of Regular.

Those high fuel economy numbers mean acceleration times are pretty high as well. It was in no particular hurry to get off the line at our test track, as after a slight jolt of power, it felt pretty sluggish going down the track, taking us a lengthy 9.4 seconds to hit 60 mph. Hyundai’s Intelligent Variable Transmission has some realistic simulated gear shifts built in, and they not only provided the feel of a true automatic, but kept engine noise from becoming overbearing. And while this 2.0-liter may not be a house-on-fire off the line, it has no problem keeping up with traffic, and feels like just the perfect amount of power for a practical and safe commuter car.

There are other engine options too. Two choices if you want to go faster, a 1.6-liter turbo with 201 horsepower in the Elantra N Line, and a 276-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter for the Elantra N; plus, one with even better fuel economy, a 1.6-liter hybrid with a 139 horsepower total output.

And despite some significant understeer, there was good feel through the cones of our handling course, both in steering and chassis feedback. We wouldn’t quite call it “point and shoot,” but it responded to inputs fairly quickly, with only moderate body roll. All-in-all, when it comes to performance, it doesn’t claim to bring a whole lot to the table, but does clearly overachieve with what it does bring.

And Hyundai is always overachieving when it comes to packing in features, yet has found a way of keeping things refreshingly simple with a good mix of touchscreen and manual controls. Lots of space too, both up front in the surprisingly wide front buckets, and in the rear bench with ample room for three. Updates for all Elantra interiors include softer materials on the door panels, upgraded instrumentation and additional charging ports, plus a surround view monitor and new H-Tex simulated leather for Limited trim.

Elantra pricing starts with an SE at $22,775, the SEL comes in at $24,725, Limited begins at $28,215, and the sporty N Line starts at $29,615. If you’re interested in the hybrid, base Blue starts at $27,400 with Limited at $30,600.

Some might say there’s not a whole lot that’s earth shaking about the 2024 Hyundai Elantra, but that’s mostly why we like it so much. When it comes to just delivering good, basic transportation with a high dose of unexpected amenities, Hyundai delivers once again.