The Splinter: A 690-HP Drivable Sports Car Built Mostly From Wood

An innovative university-origin one-off, The Splinter is a drivable sports car built largely from wood—chassis, interior, and even wheels—powered by a mid‑engine V8 with a six‑speed manual and an estimated 690 horsepower. Heat management includes reversed cylinder heads and top-exhaust routing to protect wooden components. The project, meant to demonstrate wood’s strength and renewable potential for high-performance applications, uses CTS‑V drivetrain DNA and has reportedly only been tested up to about 30 mph, leaving real-world practicality a question mark.