It is natural, very versatile and has a higher strength-to-weight ratio than aluminium or steel. This is not some high tech alloys or glass fibre, but wood.

Joe Harmon at North Carolina State University is in the process of creating a car made of wood as part of a student project. Appropriately it is called the splinter, and when completed later this year the team believe it should be capable of speeds in excess of 240mph. Harmon says making a supercar from wood is a truly satisfying experience, but he doubts it would ever be viable commercially due the labour intensity and skill required for construction.