Researchers at the University of Warwick have today unveiled a racing car which is powered and built from natural ingredients including chocolate, carrots and potatoes.

The scientists have built a competitive Formula 3 car completely from reusable natural materials to show just how much can be done with environmentally sustainable technologies.

The car runs on fuel made from waste chocolate and vegetable oil, has a steering wheel derived from carrots and other root vegetables, a flax fibre and soybean oil foam racing seat and bodywork made from potatoes.

The researchers based in the university’s Warwick Manufacturing Group and the Warwick Innovative Manufacturing Research Centre said the car met all the Formula 3 racing standards except for the engine fuel as competing cars currently cannot use biodiesel.

Dr Steve Maggs, of the research team, said embracing the “green is great ethos” meant working throughout the construction chain from the raw materials used to the final disposal of the car.

“It’s been very exciting working on the project and important for our team to develop a working example of a truly ‘green’ motor racing car,” said Project manager James Meredith. “The WorldFirst project expels the myth that performance needs to be compromised when developing the sustainable motor vehicles of the future.”