I always have a blast messing around with the configurators that car manufacturers have on their websites that let you fine-tune your auto before you hit the showroom. The Bugatti online configurator allows you to customize every detail of its Bugatti Veyron 16.4, including the color.

Yeah, rape yellow. They call it that because when you see the price tag on the car your about to buy, that’s what you feel like happened to you. Before you could not have your cake and eat it too. Now you can have your ‘rape’, and drive it too. Color wheel fail.

(Source: AutoBlog)

If you’re any kind of Ferrari aficionado, then anticipation of the Ferrari F430 Challenge replacement has been like waiting to get into that hot brunette’s pants you got a number from a few days ago. Well smoke that e-cigarette because the replacement Ferrari 458 Challenge has been released. With 570hp in the same 458 Italia chassis that was quicker than the F430 Challenge from the get go, the track-ready Ferrari 458 Challenge should up the ante even further.  Good news for Ferrari, bad news for everyone else fighting for the crown.

Channeling all that horsepower, Ferrari has installed an all-new double-clutch transmission that further shaves off time spent between gears. As minute a time savings the new transmission offers, over the course of a lap, this can equate to either a first or second position. Less time between shifts means more brute horsepower ripping through the asphalt! Check the video for more intriguing details that Ferrari engineers have christened this beast with.

This is just a short collection of gifts for the car guy in your life. With the holidays coming up, I thought I would put together a list of items that won’t break the bank, but might just make the guy in your life think you have been paying attention to his hobby after all.

1) Gran Turismo 5 Collectors Edition Playstation3 Game – $99.99

This is pretty obvious. One of the best racing games of all time. Don’t have a PS3? Perhaps you should start there.

2) SIRIUS Sportster 5 – $99.99

Satellite Radio is the shit. If you don’t have it already, your one of the few that don’t. Howard Stern Rules! Baba-Booey!

3) Shop-Vac Stainless Steel Wet/Dry Vacuum — 5-Gallon, 4.5 HP – $59.99

Everyone needs one of these in their garage. This one comes with all the attachments to get the car real clean.

4) Little Trees Black Ice Air Freshener - $1.25 each

A favorite for a long time. Can’t go wrong at under $2 each. Great stocking stuffer.

5) HD Motorsports HERO Camera – $299.99

So he can watch himself in action, after the action. Great camera made for MOTORSPORTS!! (or other activities, wink; wink; lol)

6) Craftsman 106 pc. Mechanics Tool Set – $99.99

With all of that hard playtime, you’re bound to break something. This kit fits nicely in your trunk.

7) Rezmoto E-Magazine Subscription - FREE!

The best gift of all! Achieve Rezolution…

Just when you think Facebook could not get any better, now you can find spied shots of the new Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 mixed in with the goofy app’s and your ex-roomate’s new photo gallery. The Lamborghini Club of Los Angeles has released the first good frontal shot of the new Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 we have seen yet.

(Source: Lamborghini Club of Los Angeles)

Beautiful huh? The Bat-mobile-esque front end is typical Lamborghini, as is the low slung roof and aggressive side panels. Expected to be housing a beefy V12 putting down 700+ horsepower, this is no dog. I’m interested to see what the final version will look like without all of the black cladding and tape-job its sporting in the picture. A mix of carbon perhaps? Only time will tell. I hope they ditch those wheels though, they are not my favorite. In my opinion, Lamborghini has not done the best job with wheel design in the past. These wheels don’t match very well with the aggressive lines, sharp corners, and masculine characteristics. Perhaps they should have someone at Ferrari lend a hand in wheel design.

…and the saga continues. The Fast and the Furious franchise continues on in the form of “Fast Five”. You know you’ll eventually see it. I mean if you don’t, how could you call yourself a true automotive enthusiast. And for the haters, let’s see what you got to offer…

A trailer video was recently released showing the new 2013 Lotus Esprit. With small sub-compact cars making a comeback in recent years with euro-mini’s such as the Smart Car, Mini Cooper, and Fiat , its no surprise to see Lotus coming out with a model of their own. The big difference being Lotus’ entry is attempting to create its own little niche mini-supercar catagory with their miniature models boasting huge performance numbers. Lotus says:

The ultimate Lotus returns in 2013. The latest version of the evocative Esprit continues where its forefathers had once driven. This exclusive supercar combines ultra aggressive contemporary styling with an intensive immersive driving experience, powered by an all-new supercharged, charge-cooled V8 heart giving stunning performance through light weight, in the perfect expression of Lotus supercar ownership.

Small does not always mean energy efficient, as is likely the case with the 2013 Lotus Esprit. With Americans gravitating towards the smaller vehicles and away from the mega-SUV’s, its due in part to their growing concern for the environment. Not that us tuners have ever been too concerned for the environment, it does beg the question; How well will a gas-guzzling mini-model sell in today’s environment with other small euro’s pushing 35+ miles per gallon. I suppose time will tell.

The colder and colder it gets outside the better and better your turbo-car will perform. There comes a point, however, when it’s just a little too cold and some of you may find that starting up your car is not as easy as it used to be. Here is a brief ‘how to’ for starting your car in winter.

1) NUMBER ONE, Prepare for the winter. Make sure your running plenty of anti-freeze, the correct weight engine oil your manufacturer recommends for cold weather, and try to park your car in the garage at night if you have one. Time to throw out all that crap hogging up precious garage space and make room for your euro-auto.

2) Check your battery from time to time to make sure your connections are clean and solid. Invest in a battery warmer or battery blanket to help keep your battery warm and making starting in the morning a breeze.

3) Consider picking up a block heater to help pre-heat your engine block prior to starting. This will help your car turn over with ease.

4) Get your alternator checked by your mechanic to make sure everything is in tip-top shape. Last thing you need is for something to foul up with your charging system when you’re already having trouble getting the car to crank in this cold weather.

5) Watch this video on how to jump start your car. The stress your battery takes on in the winter is likely to be the culprit of why you cant get your auto started. Make sure your in the know when this tragedy strikes and you will be back on the road in no time.

When all else fails, plan a vacation.

The long awaited Gran Turismo 5 is finally out for the Sony Playstation 3 platform. Racers and gamers alike have been waiting with baited breath for this release. Quick to the draw are a few geeks out there who’ve been able to get up some video for the rest of us casual gamers.  The two videos below were released by Gran Turismo 5 game makers to hype up the game prior to release. Actually quite a few video’s were released, but these are my favorites.