2005 Isuzu Ascender Air Bag Derm Module 2004-2006 15195629 on 2040-parts.com

Build your Mini Cooper Hardtop

We suspect that your initial inclination upon the discovery of a new model's configurator is to throw gobs and gobs of equipment at a car to see just how high the price will go. After all, that's what we tend to do. It's especially satisfying with German automakers — notably Porsche and BMW — who seem to have turned option pricing into something bordering on absurdist theatre.

Video: Listen to the Alfa 4C rev then watch it hit the track

We haven't heard many complaints about the new Alfa Romeo 4C. So far, kvetching has been limited to the fact that Alfa won't produce too many of them, that they won't be free, and that there's no manual transmission option. Also, the headlights are weird.

Lexus partners with celebrity chefs

Lexus is looking to whip up some attention for its products by hiring a team of noted cooks. The Lexus Culinary Masters team, made up of six celebrity chefs, debuted at last weekend's Pebble Beach Food and Wine Festival in Monterey, Calif. Race-car driver Scott Pruett started off the weekend by taking a spin around the Laguna Seca racetrack in the Lexus LFA supercar with chefs Daniel Boulud and Michael Chiarello, "Each shares the same passion for perfecting their culinary craft as Lexus does with its luxury automobiles," Lexus vice president of marketing Dave Nordstrom said of the chefs involved.