The first new Mustang performance series in 21 years, the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse features a sinister look worthy of its name. And it finally emerged into the limelight at the Chicago Auto Show, its first public display, where Host Jack Nerad got the opportunity to discuss it at length with Ford Mustang marketing guru Jim Owens. That interview is featured in this week’s show.

To achieve what Ford calls the pinnacle of 5.0-liter V8 performance, the Mustang Dark Horse features a highly tuned fourth-generation Coyote V8 engine that is rated at 500 horsepower and 418 ft-lb of torque. That makes it the most powerful non-Shelby Mustang ever.

With the available handling package, the Mustang Dark Horse will also be the most track-capable street-legal 5.0-liter V8 Mustang in the proud history of the model. It boasts improved aerodynamics, upgraded hardware, new software and tuning, plus an available six-speed manual transmission. Baby Boomers, the line forms at the left…

Host Jack Nerad road tested the 2023 Hyundai Elantra HEV this week, and it wasn’t simply because gasoline prices in California are again over $5 a gallon. In addition to its amazing fuel efficiency — as good as 54 mpg combined — the compact hybrid four-door gives buyers many other great reasons to consider it. Safety equipment abounds, and the Hyundai infotainment array is one of the best in the business.

While Nerad was testing the compact Elantra, Co-Host Chris Teague challenged the full-size Ford F-150 Lightning with harsh Maine weather. Since EVs are known to find cold weather a challenge, both Teague and Nerad were eager to see how the much-heralded Lightning would fare when temperatures plunge to the zero mark. We’ll have a full report coming up in this episode.

In the news this week, the federal government is in the midst of trying to persuade (bribe?) Tesla into opening up its supercharger EV charging network to non-Tesla vehicles. Some say if the company does that it will be selling out its thousands of loyal buyers who benefit from the unique charging network. Will Tesla take the money and run? We’ll have details and our thoughts coming up.

While Tesla is facing its latest dilemma, Kia and Hyundai are in the midst of fixing a software glitch that has left thousands of their vehicles vulnerable to theft. If you’d like to steal a pre-2020 Kia or Hyundai, social media will show you how. We’ll have more on that incredible story coming up.

Also in the news, Mercedes-Benz is trying to jumpstart its EV sales by offering a bounty to current electric vehicle owners and lessees. At the same time, Volvo says it will not lower its EV prices to match Tesla’s recent move.

All that and so much more, including answers to your questions coming up in this episode of America On the Road.