RS e-tron GT

Make
Audi
Segment
Sedan

Truong Van Dao, a renowned woodworker, and sculptor in Vietnam has created the ultimate toy car for his one-year-old daughter.

Inspired by the striking Audi Grandsphere concept car, Van Dao set about crafting a miniature version as a birthday present for his little girl. He starts with three simple pieces of wood, joining them together and sanding them down to create the vehicle's floor. Next, the world's greatest dad cuts out a place for the wheels before fitting the front and rear axles to the Audi.

Watching him craft the wheels is nothing short of spectacular. Van Dao expertly carves the wheels and places a thin strip of rubber around each to provide a smoother ride for his daughter. Once the wheels are fitted, it's time to fit the electric motor, which provides the little Grandsphere with sufficient power. This may be impressive, but it's nothing compared to how Van Dao designed the sleek bodywork.

A carefully cut-out side profile is laid to rest on a sizeable block of wood, and Van Dao carefully traces out the shape before getting to work. A vertical saw is used, and before you know it, the oak resembles the sleek lines of the German concept. Finally, the craftsman uses a chainsaw to shape the rest of the body panels carefully, and the result is nothing short of extraordinary.

Van Dao notes this is a crucial step, as this will determine how the final product looks. Unsurprisingly, this step can take up to one week to complete. The Grandsphere is a beautiful and sleek piece of design. To achieve the same effect, he uses a small circular saw to smooth the rough edges and give the wooden vehicle its graceful look. Again, this is a laborious process that can take weeks to finish.

But there's still plenty of work to be done.

For a master like Van Dao, a project like this is all about the details. He chisels the finer styling points before cutting out spaces for the lights and faux front grille. Brilliantly, he capitalizes on the Grandsphere's sizeable front end and fits a storage compartment under the hood. The power-operated lid stylishly opens up in two pieces, adding more theatre to the overall package.

Most of the car has been made of wood, but Van Dao uses ebony wood for a few exterior details and the interior, such as the tiny bucket seats. With the vehicle finally completed, it's time to protect and lacquer the oak with a generous dose of varnish before polishing the wooden Audi and taking it out on the road.

As you'd expect, his child is overjoyed at the prospect of hitting the streets in her new Audi. Much to her delight, the daddy/daughter duo cruise around and receive plenty of positive attention.

This is undoubtedly a moment she will cherish and has undeniably cemented her love for cars.

Like the concept car on which it's based, the wooden Grandsphere is powered by an electric motor. The actual concept may be a touch quicker, thanks to its dual electric motor setup, which provides 710 horsepower and 708 lb-ft of torque. It's unlikely to make it to production, but this svelte beauty will heavily influence future Audi design. For now, if you're looking for a sleek and electric Audi, the RS e-tron GT should fit the bill nicely.

It's not the first time Van Dao has built vehicles from wood. Earlier this year, he fashioned a Lamborghini V12 GT Vision Gran Turismo out of timber for his son, and he has previously created a wooden Sian as well.

His work is truly incredible and a treat to watch for gearheads and artisans alike.