Researchers unveil chocolate-powered car

[Intrepidation]

BOSTON -- Energy researchers at M.I.T. are unveiling their latest masterpiece this weekend -- a race car powered by chocolate.

Candy isn't the only tasty treat keeping the car together.

The vehicle features a soybean seat and a steering wheel made of carrots. The engine is powered by beef, salmon and chocolate.

The car’s U.K. creators said it’s the first sustainable Formula 3 race car.

“We wanted to show some academic research in an unconventional manner. So putting together sustainability with motor racing isn’t a natural fit but we managed to do it,” said energy researcher Kerry Kairwan.

The car can race speeds at up to 175 mph and runs about 30 miles per gallon. The fuel uses fat from waste foods and more and converts it to diesel.

“The actual process for…turning waste fat to diesel is actually quite easy. But it’s how you get it optimized if you want to racing with it - that’s the tricky bit,” Kairwan said.

Even though the brake pads are made of cashew nut liquid and the bodywork is made of potatoes, Kairwan said he doesn’t advise anyone to take a bite of the car.

“You could if you wanted to – eat certain bits, but they wouldn’t taste very nice. They’ve changed somewhat from what they originally were like,” Kairwan said.

The car is featured at the M.I.T. Energy Showcase being this weekend at the Boston Sheraton Hotel.

(Copyright © 2010 Sunbeam Television Corp. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

Video after the jump

http://www1.whdh.com/news/articles/bizarre/BO137094/

[CSpec]

Interesting, but is this remotely cost effective? Also, I'm inclined to say that anything labeled "sustainable" is a piece of junk.

[ZL-1]

chocolate-powered car = blasphemy. chocolate is meat to be eaten