VIDEOS : Honda HSV-010 caught testing at Suzuka

Honda HSV-010 Spy Shots at Suzuka

With the exception of a singular shot and a brief press release, Honda is predictably mum on details about its GT500-bound NSX replacement. Thankfully, one fan in Japan was able to snag shots of the HSV-010 undergoing testing at the Suzuka Circuit ahead of its first race in May, and judging by the pics below and videos after the jump, SuperGT fans have plenty to be excited about.

Based on reports from the ground, Honda will campaign four HSV-010s in the 2010 season, each of which was testing at the racetrack late last week (check the differing window banners in the gallery below). The driver line-up hasn't been officially disclosed yet, but the new coupes will bear the numbers 8, 18, 32 and 100 at their debut May 20-21 at Suzuka.

Powering the HSV-010 (which stands for Honda Sports Velocity) is a 3.4-liter V8 mounted in front and sending power to the rear wheels through a six-speed sequential gearbox -- the same transmission used by Nissan and Toyota on its GT500 contenders. The styling bears some resemblance to prototypes that ran the Nurburgring in recent years, but it's decidedly curvier, more aerodynamic and -- to our eyes -- damn sexy, particularly in matte black with the angry LED eyebrows.

As previously reported, Honda has no plans to sell a road-going version of the HSV-010 to consumers. Instead, the Big H has found a loop-hole in the SuperGT regulations that allows the automaker to campaign a car in the series that's "production feasible" but not in production. So unless Honda reverses course and pulls an LFA, the closest you'll come to seeing and hearing the all-new NSX is in the videos.

Tags: Motorsports, Coupe, Performance, Japan, Acura, Honda,gt500, honda, honda gt500, honda hsv-010, honda hsv-10, honda hsv010, honda hsv10, honda supergt, HondaGt500, HondaHsv-010, HondaHsv-10, HondaHsv010, HondaHsv10, HondaSupergt, hsv-010, hsv010, hsv10, supergt

Video: Latest Arabian pass time? Drifting the new BMW 7 Series

What do you get when you combine a luxury yet quite powerful limousine like the BMW 7 Series with the “craziness” of Arab thrill-seekers? A new video showcasing the powersliding/drifting capabilities of the Bavarian limousine of course!

While you can’t actually call it drifting, as the drivers just jerk the steering wheel and hope everything turns out alright, it’s still an interesting sight to behold. Hit the jump to see just what rich Arabs do with the BMW 7 Series, which we also had a chance to test drive recently.

Video: Michael Schumacher officially signs with Mercedes Formula 1 team

It’s official Formula 1 fans, whether you loved him or hated him, Michael Schumacher is returning to F1, and will be a part of the all-German team of Mercedes GP Petronas (formerly known as Brawn GP, the current champion team).

The contract, which reportedly will earn Schumacher around $9.9 million in 2010, will extend until 2013, and depending on how things will be going and how the 41-year-old pilot feels, might stretch out even further.

“The motivation I think is pretty straightforward - the call I got from Ross [Brawn] at the end of November concerning the chance in my hand to go racing,” said Schumacher. “Having this phone call from him, and the circumstances of Mercedes-Benz being involved as the owner, I felt great. I never left the race track. I was tired of F1 by the end of 2006…but after three years of absence I have been getting back all the energy that I am feeling right now. I played around with motorbikes, and I feel ready for some serious stuff now.”

Frankly, I think this is great news and will certainly draw even more attention to a 2010 F1 season which promises to be the most heated one yet. Also, we’ll be getting a true UK versus Germany battle, with Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton driving for McLaren and Schumacher with Nico Rosberg for Mercedes GP. Until the season starts however, hit the jump to see an exclusive interview of Schumacher with the BBC.

Mercedes Benz to release new CLS in standard plus shooting brake body style at 2010 Paris Motor Show

Rumors were already circulating about the next generation of Mercedes-Benz’s four-door coupe model, the CLS, which might appear at the 2010 Paris Motor Show, but now a new tidbit of information has appeared, concerning the body variants which will be available at the beginning.

It seems that not only will we see an already typical four-door coupe look, but also a shooting brake variant, which basically is just a new way of saying that it will have an estate-like form, presumably borrowed from the older ConceptFASCINATION model which previewed the newly released E Class.

Bot don’t go thinking it will go for the rather stylish two-door variant shown above on the concept, as four doors, plus the back liftgate will most likely be included in the production edition. What do you think? Should the new CLS sport such a body style? Leave your comments below.

2011 Ford Mustang GT and 5.0-liter V8 unwrapped early

The 2011 Ford Mustang with its spanking new 5.0-liter V8 is proving to be the 2010 Detroit Show's worst-kept secret, as following an earlier leak on its powertain specs, we now have the first official shots of the car and its engine. From what 'dam crackers' told us, the new 5.0 will deliver an output of around 412 ponies at 6,500 rpm and 390 lb-ft of torque, up from the current 4.6-liter V8's 315HP and 325 lb-ft.

As previously reported, the V8 will be matched to your choice of a six-speed manual or automatic transmission, with the Mustang GT allegedly returning a fuel economy of 25mpg (9.4lt/100km), most likely on the highway.Ford is expected to release initial details and pictures of the 2011 Mustang GT early next week.