This incredible Mercedes V12 sculpture is built from bone, wood and fossils

By  Lauren DeAngelis Puckett

We've seen some impressive automotive replicas, but this one definitely takes the prize as the most unique yet. Belgian artist Eric van Hove created this sculpture, titled V12 Laraki, of a Mercedes V12 engine using a whopping 53 materials, including wood, bone and fossils. The dizzying array of materials includes mother-of-pearl, sand stone and mahogany, just to name a few.

The artist received a 2011 Cda-Projects Grant to create the extremely detailed and true-to-life work, which "aims at de-constructing a Mercedes V12 engine down to every single component (around 200 of them) before duplicating each element bit by bit in over 50 different local materials with the help of 35 master craftsmen from various regions in Morocco." The grants website also notes that the project represents a commentary on "the economic and social dynamic between the European and African industry."

The work will next be on display at the Marrakesh Bienniale of contemporary art in February 2014 in Morocco. Check out the impressive photos in our gallery, and learn more by visiting the artist's website and Facebook page.

Source: www.autoblog.com/2013/09/21/this-incredible-mercedes-v12-sculpture-is-built-from-bone-wood/

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1967 Toyota 2000GT Solar Electric Vehicle

By Sebastian Blanco

Q may have packed James Bond's cars with plenty of killer tech (get it?), but the 1967 Toyota 2000GT you see above has got it's own bad boy secrets. Well, if bad boys like zero-emission electric vehicles.

Weighing just 1,460 kilograms (3,218 pounds), this modified 2000GT is all-electric under the skin – and on the skin in some areas. A high-performance solar panel embedded into the hood and a transmission solar panel sits in place of the rear glass. These feed energy into to a 345-volt, 40-kWh lithium-ion battery which, in turn, powers a 120-kW electric motor. Together in the stylish 2000GT, this powertrain is good for a top speed of over 200 kilometers an hour (124 miles per hour).

The car is on display at the Detroit Auto Show this week, but we fist caught wind of it a year ago when a video popped up showing the work of Japan's Crazy Car Project. Since then, some powertrain components have been upgraded (it used to have a 35-kWh battery). You can see the original video of the car in action at http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/13/classic-toyota-2000gt-turned-into-solar-powered-ev/

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