Tokyo 2007 Preview: Toyota 1/X (pronounced "1/Xth")
by John Neff on Oct 10th 2007 at 1:45AM 
click above image to enlarge
Toyota will have nine concept vehicles on display at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show, some of which we've seen before while others, like the 1/X, we haven't. Toyota points out in its mini press release that the name of this concept is pronounced "1/Xth", as in the car weighs 1/Xth the weight of similarly sized vehicles. The automaker uses its own Prius as a basis of comparison, and the 1/X weighs about a third of that hybrid, or just 420 kilograms. That's 926 lbs. people. The feather light weight is made possible by extensive use of carbon fiber reinforced plastic in the vehicle's frame, which keeps weight down but is apparently strong enough to protect occupants in a crash.
The 1/X also features a green powertrain that combines a flex fuel 500cc engine and plug-in hybrid drive system. The combo-powerplant is located beneath the rear seat and drives the rear wheels. Toyota quotes fuel efficiency that is double of the Prius in a package that's roughly the same size and seats four.
The design is, well, Japaneriffic, but the idea behind the 1/X and technology contained therein is the real story.
[Source: Toyota]
Gallery: Toyota 1/X Concept
PRESS RELEASE:
1/X
The 1/X (pronounced "one-Xth") is a concept vehicle that redefines from its very roots the idea of what it means to be environmentally considerate. Among its attributes, the vehicle-with a design that aims to harmoniously coexist with people and society-weighs only "1/Xth" that of other vehicles in its class.
- Maintains an interior space on par with that of the Prius, with an aimed-for fuel efficiency that is double and a weight reduced to 420 kilograms (about one third the weight of the Prius).
- Combines fossil fuel consumption-reducing FFV* technology and a plug-in hybrid powertrain with a displacement of only 500cc that allows charging from an external power source and a longer electric-motor cruising distance; thus, in addition to being adapted for energy diversity, emits less CO2 and contributes to the prevention of air pollution.
- Locates the power unit beneath the rear seat (for a midship, rear-wheel-drive system) to contribute to an innovative and highly efficient package.
- Adopts light but highly rigid carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) throughout the body frame to ensure superior collision safety, while allowing narrower pillars for a better field of vision.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
San Francisco Lover 2:17AM (10/10/2007)
I hate the wheels, and the panels over the front ones, but I like everything else. it looks really cool, especially the lights.
Off-topic, Ford still makes the coolest concepts.
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Craig 2:27AM (10/10/2007)
"Off-topic, Ford still makes the coolest concepts."
Why don't they make it to production?
They might not be in their current situation if they made more of their concepts into real cars.
Dustin 1:59AM (10/10/2007)
I can just imagine a collision between this and a bicycle.. "sorry sir, your car is totaled"
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Craig 2:25AM (10/10/2007)
Did you read plastic and think Coke bottle plastic?
This is Carbon Fibre Reinforced Plastic, you know the stuff that Formula 1 and IndyCar monocoques are made from. How often do the monocoques of those cars come apart?
In a lot of cases after a crash they rip off all the suspensions and light weight panels and the tub is fine, ready to be used again.
The following cars already use CFRP extensively: Ferrari F40, Ferrari Enzo, Koenigsegg CCR, Koenigsegg CCX, McLaren F1, McLaren Mercedes SLR, Bugatti Veyron, Bugatti EB110, Pagani Zonda and Porsche Carrera GT. There have been incidents where the afore-mentioned vehicles have been crashed but only the exterior body panels need replacing.
Even the bloody Corvette Z06 will be using CFRP to reduce weight and increase rigidity.
jamesFF 2:43AM (10/10/2007)
The Chevy Sprint had this car beat at 800lbs.
With stronger steel and newer plastics there is no reason why cars are to be heaver.
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John S. 4:30PM (10/10/2007)
The Sprint was 1600 Lbs. Maybe you were thinking kilograms?
One reason that manufacturers can't seem to reduce weight despite the improvements in materials is the increased amount of safety equipment demanded by customers and the government. Expecting a 2-seat car to have at least four airbags is a very recent development, and you need even more than that if you want to sell a family 4-seater.
whofan 3:22AM (10/10/2007)
The 1986 Mercury Sable has evolved. build it Toyota.
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Travis Rassat 7:59AM (10/10/2007)
lol! Great observation...
While this car is certainly nothing to look at, I do like some of the concepts, particularly with the use of lightweight materials.
EJ1962 1:47PM (10/10/2007)
Wow! I'm impressed again by Toyota! If this pans out Toyota may have another breakthrough at hand like the Prius. I think the critical issue here is crash protection. If that turns out good, using carbon fiber at reasonable cost, we may be seeing here the future of mobility for the planet. 100 MPG using biofuel plus plug-in hybrid capability would put OPEC out of business!
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