Toyota Setsuna EV Concept
Toyota is bringing a roadster made
almost entirely by wood at the Milan Design Week from April 12 to 17. This
weird-looking creation is called the Setsuna and "conceived to embody the
affection owners develop for their cars over time and the central role they can
play in family life".
Toyota collaborated mainly with Sumitomo
Forestry, which provided their valuable expertise in wood construction and was
involved early in the development process of the Setsuna, also helping in which
types of wood should be used.
The body is made up out of 86 handmade
panels that will change in appearance as the car grows older. Toyota claims
they used traditional Japanese techniques to construct the Setsuna, including
okuriari, which allows the panels to be fitted without the use of nails. The
joints in the car’s frame feature split tenons fastened to through-tenons that
pass through several component parts in the frame to give a secure hold.
Toyota used aluminum for details like
the wheel caps, steering wheel and seat frames creating the necessary visual
contrast with the wooden structure.
The car’s shape is expected to change as
time passes by, as all the wooden elements on it will slowly bend, giving the
body even more curves. Toyota has even fitted the Setsuna with a clock that
counts not only hours and minutes but years, too, as a reminder of its special
status.
