Auto Trader

 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 new helping.

This week: 

300... 299... 298...

The Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 was unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show this year. With eye-watering 0-to-62mph-in-3.4-seconds acceleration, the supercar was one of the top draws of the show.

The Italian manufacturer has produced just 300 LP640s, which have been eagerly snapped up by rich people the world over.

But already two of the 211mph hot Murcielagos have gone to the great car park in the sky.

One car (above right) burst into flames after hitting a tree in Austria (on its way to a press event) - weeks after the first one bit the dust.

Eyewitnesses said the car lost control while attempting to overtake another car, ran into a tree and burst into flames. The driver was treated for severe burns at a nearby hospital. 

Crashino Royale

OK, this is starting to make me feel ill.

First, two Lamborghini Murcielagos get wrecked, now three Aston Martin DBSs have been written-off in one afternoon.

At least the Aston Martins have been totalled in the name of entertainment.

The DBSs met their end during filming for the new James Bond film Casino Royale, the first Bond flick to star Daniel Craig in the title role. The cars were flipped over for an exhilarating Alpine chase scene.

An on-set insider said: "These are easily the most amazing James Bond cars yet. They look incredible and cost a fortune. Unfortunately we had to smash three to pieces." 

I see you baby, shakin' that donkey

Advertising watchdogs have ruled that a Renault Megane ad with multiple uses of the word 'ass' cannot be shown before the watershed.

The advert features a number of backsides, er... gyrating to Groove Armada's 'I See You Baby (Shakin' That Ass)'.

To get around the ban Renault have produced two versions of the ad, one with just one use of the word 'ass', and one with multiple asses.

The Advertising Standards Authority have now ruled that the version with one ass can be broadcast before 7.30pm, but multiple asses must go out after 7.30pm.

I watched kid's TV the other day and almost dropped my packet of Werther's Originals. It was all Multi-coloured Swap Shops in my day.

Record breakers

21 Malaysian students have set a new record for the number of people in a Mini Cooper.

The group took just four minutes to squeeze themselves into a 1999 lime green Mini. Two students were in the boot, and the whole group stayed in the car for the required 20 seconds once the doors had been shut.

Student Tiew Lee Shin said: "It was hot, stuffy and very uncomfortable, but we had good communication between participants and the organising crew who positioned us."

Not only did the students break the record once, but repeated the feat for a camera crew who turned up too late to film the first attempt.

Footage of the squeezing has been sent to The Guinness Book of Records for official verification.

Missed a previous edition of Weird World of Wheels? Take a look through the archive now.