If you haven’t heard of the Toyota Camatte Setsuna concept car, that’s ok. After all, it’s only been a few months since its grand unveiling occurred in Italy. Plus, the first views of this truly unique car weren’t enjoyed at an auto show, or even an auto parts show – no, the Toyota Camatte Setsuna debuted at the Milan Furniture Fair. Weird, right? If you’re a Toyota shopper in Owings Mills, MD you wouldn’t go to Hobby Lobby for car advice – you’d visit Heritage Toyota Owings Mills.
So why was the Toyota Camatte Setsuna at an Italian furniture show? The answer will sound crazy but it’s true: the Toyota Camatte Setsuna concept car’s main chassis and body parts are made from wood. That’s right, wood. Specifically:
- Japanese cypress for the steering wheel
- Wood from the castor oil tree for the instrument panel and front seats
- Elm for the floor
- Japanese birch for the frame
- Japanese cedar for the exterior panels
And in another departure from automotive reality, no screws or nails are used to join the pieces. Instead, a combination of concave and convex shapes do the trick. The wooden materials are contrasted with integrated leather covers and machined aluminum parts, which gives this roadster a look not unlike an old-school speedboat. But believe it or not, this car is drivable, capable of attaining a top speed of 28MPH. It doesn’t run on gas, or even maple syrup – no, the Toyota Camatte Setsuna is pure electric, outfitted with six 12-volt, lead-acid batteries that offer a range of around 15 miles.
We’re sure many of you wish this car was for sale, but alas it isn’t. That’s ok, though – we have lots of other outstanding (and non-wooden) vehicles to choose from, including a stylish, efficient Toyota Camry near Reisterstown, MD!
