After taking a ride in the Pontiac G8 GXP and reading Jonathan's review, our adoration of the Aussie-bred sports sedan continues unabated. Nearly everyone we've talked to about the GXP says the same thing: "budget E39 M5." While the clichéd poor-man's Bimmer trope always causes our eyes to roll back into their sockets, this may be one of the few exceptions. According to Jalop's new reporter, Der Auto Inshiderfahvenberger, the GXP ran around the 'Ring in 8:30 -- a mere two seconds off the E39 M5's time.

The Nürburgring in Germany has gained notoriety of late as being the battleground on which automakers pit their weapons-grade production sports cars against each other for lap time bragging rights. Open to the public through the months of April and October, it is also the Mecca for any motoring enthusiast worth his or her salt. We're told a whole heck of a lot of construction is going on at the track right now, which is part of a €215 million investment in upgrades that will help the Green Hell attract more patrons and open it up for the entire year.

Click above to watch the video after the jump

There is no doubt that Honda moves to the beat of its own percussionist, especially compared to its Japanese competitors. Of late, however, the Acura side of the house seems to be making some very odd decisions. There is the most obvious front and center example - the new shield grille, which one dealer has taken it upon himself to fix. Then the other day came news that Honda CEO Takeo Fukui has confirmed the next-gen top-of-the-line Acura sedan will use the company's first V8 engine. This comes at the same time other manufacturers are abandoning new V8 engine programs due to falling sales and high fuel prices.