http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/10/tokyo-2007-preview-toyota-1-x-pronounced-1-xth/ Autoblog Comments for Tokyo 2007 Preview: Toyota 1/X (pronounced "1/Xth") http://www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2008 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/10/tokyo-2007-preview-toyota-1-x-pronounced-1-xth/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/10/tokyo-2007-preview-toyota-1-x-pronounced-1-xth/Oct 10th 2007 1:59AMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/10/tokyo-2007-preview-toyota-1-x-pronounced-1-xth/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/10/tokyo-2007-preview-toyota-1-x-pronounced-1-xth/
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.]]>Oct 10th 2007 2:25AMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/10/tokyo-2007-preview-toyota-1-x-pronounced-1-xth/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/10/tokyo-2007-preview-toyota-1-x-pronounced-1-xth/
Off-topic, Ford still makes the coolest concepts. ]]>Oct 10th 2007 2:17AMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/10/tokyo-2007-preview-toyota-1-x-pronounced-1-xth/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/10/tokyo-2007-preview-toyota-1-x-pronounced-1-xth/
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.]]>Oct 10th 2007 2:27AMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/10/tokyo-2007-preview-toyota-1-x-pronounced-1-xth/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/10/tokyo-2007-preview-toyota-1-x-pronounced-1-xth/With stronger steel and newer plastics there is no reason why cars are to be heaver.]]>Oct 10th 2007 2:43AMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/10/tokyo-2007-preview-toyota-1-x-pronounced-1-xth/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/10/tokyo-2007-preview-toyota-1-x-pronounced-1-xth/
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.]]>Oct 10th 2007 4:30PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/10/tokyo-2007-preview-toyota-1-x-pronounced-1-xth/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/10/tokyo-2007-preview-toyota-1-x-pronounced-1-xth/Oct 10th 2007 3:22AMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/10/tokyo-2007-preview-toyota-1-x-pronounced-1-xth/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/10/tokyo-2007-preview-toyota-1-x-pronounced-1-xth/
While this car is certainly nothing to look at, I do like some of the concepts, particularly with the use of lightweight materials.]]>Oct 10th 2007 7:59AMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/10/tokyo-2007-preview-toyota-1-x-pronounced-1-xth/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/10/tokyo-2007-preview-toyota-1-x-pronounced-1-xth/Oct 10th 2007 1:47PM