Although we’re filing this under “don’t do this at home” here’s a guy trying to lose the cops in a highway car chase. Little horsepower but definitely great skills, don’t you think? Looks like something depicted from a Grand Theft Auto game …

If earlier reports indicated that Michael Schumacher will be with riding under the Mercedes F1 team flag for only one year, we just caught wind that the German racer actually intends to be with the team until 2012. After 91 grand prix wins and a 16 year long career, Schumacher returns to the circuit being persuaded by his former Ferrari technical director, Ross Brawn.

It will take time to get over the Ferrari hang as Michael Schumacher won 5 titles with the red devils over a period of 14 years, prior to becoming an advisor for the Italians. Schumacher could end up as a brand ambassador for Mercedes once he is finished racing for the team in 2012. He also clarified that his number one driver status talks were a hoax as it was always up to the team management to decide his status and it will be no different while being on the new team. [via WCF]

The Audi A7 Sportback and the BMW 5 Series GT are just one reason why hatchbacks have sprung into popularity, again, and believe it or not Mercedes don’t have their own, yet. We’re saying yet as rumors have surfaced that the Germans are ready to roll one by introducing the new Mercedes Benz CLS ShootingBrake at the 2010 Paris Motor Show which will be held in October next year. The CLS Shooting Brake is the derivative of the Mercedes Concept FASCINATION which first broke cover at the Paris event in two years ago. Looks like the hatchback market is getting ready for a hot contender which happens to hail from Germany again.

The ultimate Gallardo successor is still a mystery and many predict that it will not happen before 2012 which means rumors about an updated Lambo Gallardo LP570-4 model get your adrenaline to higher levels. Supposedly headed for the 2010 Geneva Motor Show, the nomenclature signifies the addition of 10hp which will take the overall count to 570 horsies equally distributed to the four wheels of the new Gallardo. Minor changes on the inside will also be evident along with changes on the outside embracing aerodynamics — a new front spoiler, a carbon fiber rear wing and an all new front suspension arrangement. Carbon ceramic brakes may help the car come to a halt but this is again an assumption as of now. [via Autoblog]

Not sure how much snow you had this Christmas but if it’s something like in the video below, you may want to make sure you have winter tires on your car otherwise this could happen to you, too.

German car fans at the Dubai Motor Show were in for a special treat as PPI Automotive Design revealed their much hyped, A8 based, PPI Razor GTR at the event. The difference between the Razor introduced in Dubai and the previous variants was the scorcher adoring the Visible Carbon Fiber Widebody package with a high gloss finish. The additional gloss factor was made possible courtesy of several layers of coat over the regular carbon fiber body. The carbon fiber covers the body panel, fenders, bumpers, lids and even sideblades but spares the engine which is covered by a Polycarbonate layer. Under the hood, the PPI Razor showcased in Dubai houses the same V8 engine capable of churning 580 horses. The V10 engine which renders 600 hp was also an option on display. Both the engine options help the car clock 60mph in just 3.7 seconds.

The Ferrari camp is always special at all major auto shows across the globe and the one they’ll show in Geneva next year, will be no different as we’re talking about a hybrid version of the 599 GTB. Although the Italians haven’t officially confirmed any of these, word is (and we’d like to believe it) that a Ferrari 599 GTB Hybrid will make its debut at the Geneva Motor Show in 2010. The hybrid version will sport a combination of an electric motor and a system of lithium-ion batteries, both of which will together be placed on either sides of the transaxle. Compared to the regular 599 GTB Fiorano, this one will come with a 35% improvement in fuel consumption. Also assisting the hybrid power-train will be a brake regeneration system, a start stop technology and an electric boost system. It will be interesting to see how the world receives a hybrid version of an otherwise scorching car.

Renault is ready for the New Year with the 2010 version of the SM5 Sedan which happens to be the third generation model. The sales for the model in South Korea will begin in late January but Renault Samsung wants people to anticipate the release and hence the first official pictures of the third generation model have been released. The 2010 model houses the 2.0L petrol engine from Nissan which is mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. A turbo diesel option will also be added to the SM5 line-up that has been developed at a cost of $340 million over a period of 36 months. Geared with some great advanced features like adaptive xenon headlights and massage front seats, the new model is expected to be an international success right away. What’s your take?