WELCOME to Alex Eckford's Weird World of Wheels.

Each week, we'll be bringing you the essential strangest motoring news from around the world.

Don't forget to come back every Friday for your weekly helping.

This week:

Beetle fun


Everybody wants more speed. Everybody wants more power for their motor.

Some more than others.

Ron Patrick has pimped-up his ride by adding a 1,350 brake horse power jet engine to his VW Beetle (above right).

Mr Patrick's flame-belching bug features a GE T58-8F helicopter turboshaft engine converted to run as a jet.

But surely that makes it a touch impractical for trips to the shops?

That's the real genius of this modded VW - it's fitted with a regular engine for day to day use.

But where does he put his shopping? You see, you've got to think ahead.

LEGO Volvo


I used to love building LEGO cars when I was a kid.

But if I'd seen this Volvo XC90 made entirely of LEGO bricks (right), I might not be here today.

Because I'd still be in America, looking at it.

The greatest coming together of two Scandinavian icons since Benny and Bjorn, the plastic SUV sits at the gate of LEGOLAND California, promoting Volvo as the official car of the theme park.

Undrivable, and fairly uncomfortable to sit in, the brick-built XC90 is the only car in the world that can be taken apart and rebuilt as a farm.

Hummer and Hummerer


Got SUV envy? Outclassed by other school mums in bigger people carriers?

The answer is at hand.

Step forward, the Force Protection Cougar Series (right).

Now available to buy in the States, the Cougar is a hulking great wedge of metal and attitude that makes the Hummer look like a Reliant Robin.

Armoured-plated, with mine-protection, fire extinguishers and two sunroofs (sorry, topside hatches), the Cougar is available in four or six-wheeled versions.

Aufwiedersehen pets


A top vet has caused road rage carnage, smashing six cars, and assaulting two policemen.

Italian Felice Nieddu, an equine medicine specialist, started his trail of havoc in Wymondham, Norfolk, where he deliberately smashed his Chevrolet Tacuma into three vehicles.

Minutes later he collided with another three cars at a roundabout, before coming to a halt.

His car was so badly damaged further travel was impossible, a problem which did nothing to dampen his spirit.

Mr Nieddu put his foot down on the accelerator, spinning the wheels so fast the road surface caught fire.

As a final show-stopper, he climbed onto the roof of his car, before threatening onlookers with an umbrella and a stethoscope (how exactly do you threaten someone with a stethoscope?).

When the police arrived, Mr Nieddu, who claims he was suffering from stress-induced psychosis, assaulted two of them.

It shouldn't happen to a vet should it?