As a practice, Big Steve takes care of giving you all the lowdown on Ford's "new" Mustangs, whenever such vehicles are introduced. As editor of 5.0 Mustang & Super Fords, Steve attends the media "First Drive" ride-and-drive events, and occasionally a hot, new 'Stang is simply delivered to his office, and left for the boss to whip around for a few days, and get impressions that will help him write a story about the new hotness, for the magazine or our Web site.

While Steve has already given his impressions report on the 2010 Shelby GT500 in 5.0 (and he also has details on a major upgrade project that he'll be telling you about in future issues of the magazine), I recently had an opportunity to cruise around in a '10 GT500, during a trip to New York to check out the (rained out) Shakedown at Englishtown; mega-race event at Raceway Park.

Head across the jump for the pics and info...

I drive Ford vehicles on both coasts, basically. Most of you know that my driveway in Southern California is full of Fords, and when I go "back East" to New York, I usually get around the metro area in a new, S197 Mustang (in past visits I've had a Shelby GT 'Stang, a Bullitt, a convertible GT).

Of course, with the tech projects that we've done with '07-'09 Shelby GT500s, I've driven quite a few, both stock and modified. However, my 4 days with the "twenty-ten" version of Ford's mega Mustang was a lot different.

The styling of the '10 Mustangs never bothered me (for whatever reason, some people don't like the back/tail lights area), and not that I'm trying to sway any thoughts, but I actually think it's hot--especially in the Torch Red (w/Shelby Silver stripes) color like the car that I drove.

Mustangs are among those cars that are "head-turners," and there's no doubt about that with the new Shelby GT500 (since the Shakedown was cancelled, I swung by my high school's homecoming festivities, and saw ALL heads turn when I drove into the parking lot for the football game).

As an admitted horsepower addict (you all know my passion for "big steam"), I give props to the new Shelby's additional horses. The weather didn't really come around enough to allow for "spirited" driving until my last day with the car, but when I did get a chance to open it up a bit, there is a nicely noticeable seat-of-the-pants difference between the supecharged 5.4 in first-gen S197 Shelbys (500hp/480tq at the crank) and the big, blown, Four-Valve bullet in the newest one (540hp/510tq at the crank).

I know the crank horses are only 40 more and there's a handsome torque difference, but Big Steve says he's seen 478 at the wheels (and almost as much torque) with a '10 GT500, and the earlier cars we've tested average in the mid-440s, with not as much torque. So, there's definitely more zip in the new car, no doubt!

The new Shelby also has a more-confident, "tight" feel on the road, thanks to the suspension enhancements that we all deemed necessary as soon as the '07s debuted. The 'Stang I drove did very well on the wet roads, which were made even more slippery by the fallen wet leafs from the trees, and when things finally got drier the suspension, 6-speed gearbox, 19-inch tires and big Brembos were really able to shine during my rips up and down the parkway.

That's my take on the 2010 Shelby GT500. Needless to say, I dig the "new" version (body styling and performance) and I'm really glad I had a chance to get personal with one for a few days.

I guess one of the best things about Shelbys is they're no longer being sold for ridiculously marked up prices and they'll smash Brand-X's new sports coup in all categories. That's definitely something to consider when you go to your Ford dealer with "Mustang thoughts" in your head.