The AutoWeek list: Foolish cars we should never have bought, but did

2001 Pontiac Aztek Our take: The most recent black eye to the General's style department. A car equivalent of the ubiquitous camel design, put together by a committee whose members obviously didn't speak to each other. 1999 Isuzu VehiCROSS Our take: We don't doubt this Japanese ute's off-road prowess, but its goggle-eye front and corrugated steel door ripples were enormous design miscues.

Next BMW 7-series previewed in Vision Future Luxury concept

BMW has previewed key exterior styling elements, contemporary interior design touches, lightweight carbon fiber construction and innovative lighting systems to be incorporated on next year's sixth-generation 7-series with the unveiling of an arresting new concept car that goes under the name Vision Future Luxury. Revealed at the Beijing auto show, the big new sedan is described as a showcase for future BMW models. But while initial speculation suggested the Vision Future Luxury pointed at a possible 9-series flagship model to be installed at the top of the German car maker's lineup, BMW officials have confirmed the new concept was created more specifically as a pointer to the next 7-series, which is planned to head into North American showrooms late next year.

JCB sets new diesel land speed record

By Greg Fountain Motor Industry 22 August 2006 05:50 The JCB Dieselmax has broken the diesel land speed record, posting an official, FIA-approved speed of 328.767mph. During the first run along the Bonneville Salt Flats course on 22 August, the 1500bhp Dieselmax touched 324.24mph.The pit crew then turned the streamliner around on a turntable and prepped it for the second run. On the return, JCB's diesel-powered racer hit 333.339mph.