Ideas for Minecart improvements

Minecarts should be improved- boats got a remodel design and overhaul, and their applications now in 26.2 with the ability to lead mobs FAR outweigh minecarts. Elytras and horses beat minecarts in transportation speeds, (not even considering the survival mode cost of rails)

A few things listed here;

Improve the minecart model & sound effect. Minecarts could use wheels, or have a way to customize the look, either with dye, with patterns, or something else.

Being able to link minecarts together either with chains, or another craftible item. This would be a huge buff for the minecart w/ furnace, and as well with item transportation.

Create ways to modify powered rails to increase maximum speed. Maybe a unique item/rail type only found in abandoned mineshafts that boost speed past the normal max.