Toyota to Introduce “Hybrid X” at Geneva Show
14 February 2007
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| A hint of the Hybrid X. Click to enlarge. |
At the upcoming Geneva Motor Show in March, Toyota will introduce a new hybrid concept it is calling “Hybrid X”—a concept car that it says proposes a new design language for hybrid models while also acting as a technology showcase for future hybrid cars.
Toyota says it will use the show to restate its commitment to finding and implementing solutions that make cars less of an environmental burden.
The company will also display the FT-HS, first introduced at the North American International Auto Show in January—a front-engine, rear-drive concept sports car with a projected 0-100 km/h acceleration in the four-second range. (Earlier post.)
Toyota will also display a three-door version of Auris in an exclusive body colour and fitted with special wheel design. The Toyota Avensis, Toyota’s flagship model in Europe, is upgraded with premium features, including a new touch-screen full map navigation. Toyota will provide details of its environmental strategy and new models on 6 March.
could this be the one we are waiting for , I believe the restrictions on the use of Nimh
run out mid 2007 !
Posted by: andrichrose | 14 February 2007 at 03:10 AM
This could really be big. Toyota is about action, not talk. I am already so pleased with my Prius words simply can't describe it. I can't wait to see what's around the corner, but believe me it will be something VERY good...........
Posted by: Bud Johns | 14 February 2007 at 05:52 AM
If "Toyota is about action, not talk", then they would be introducing a WORKING PRODUCTION vehicle, NOT a non-working "Concept" vehicle.
Posted by: DWF | 14 February 2007 at 08:11 AM
Yes, this could be the next Prius. More details will be out on March 9. I bought mine way back before the gas prices started going up. I'm salesman and I drive a lot of miles every year. My Prius now has 167,000 miles, and I couldn't be more happy with it! This is one of most trouble-free cars I've owned. I'll definitely be trading my car in for the new Prius when it comes out. Does anyone know if there will be any tax incentives this time around since this is a brand new model from Toyota?
Posted by: David Zelesky | 14 February 2007 at 08:23 AM
is this a plug in or just a better prius. I heard the next prius will get 94mpg
Posted by: antigravity | 14 February 2007 at 08:55 AM
Hey David: did you have to change the battery pack?
My guess is no.
Posted by: Patrick | 14 February 2007 at 09:06 AM
um, this is a concept car. nothing really to be excited about.
side note: the '08 highlander hybrid will have the "EV mode" button on it just like the Priuses in Europe do. I'm guessing that the '08 prius will have this "feature" added (it's been in software the entire time; just the button was missing) and the '09 will actually be a new model.
Posted by: lensovet | 14 February 2007 at 09:42 AM
If "the button" is included in the car, does that mean that the hymotion conversion won't wreck the warranty?
Posted by: Neil | 14 February 2007 at 09:48 AM
The next Prius may indeed get 94 miles per gallon, but remember, that according to the Japanese test methodology, the current Prius gets almost 80 miles per gallon... so it's not as big a deal as it sounds.
Posted by: paul | 14 February 2007 at 10:50 AM
There's no denying that this is exciting news. Since when is a hybrid car concept vehicle that will demonstrate next-generation hybrid technology "nothing to get excited about?"
Posted by: webran61 | 14 February 2007 at 11:00 AM
Paul -
the absolute numbers may not translate to the US, but a 15% relative improvement on an already frugal concept would be quite remarkable. Especially since Toyota has assiduously followed up on its hybrid claims in the past - this one technology has lifted the entire brand image world-wide, which is hugely valuable in marketing terms. They're not about to undermine that market cred by producing a throw-away concept. However, they might show something that won't be in the showrooms for quite awhile, to head off what little competition they have in this segment at the pass.
Posted by: Rafael Seidl | 14 February 2007 at 11:54 AM
They won't produce a throw away concept? Where is my Toyota Fine-X, Pod, LF-S, etc, etc, etc,...
Posted by: Patrick | 14 February 2007 at 01:18 PM
where is my GM volt
whats good for toyota is good for Americia
Posted by: antigravity | 14 February 2007 at 01:56 PM
Andichrose,
What are the NiMH restrictions that run out in mid 2007?
Thank you,
Travis
Posted by: Travis Rassat | 14 February 2007 at 03:39 PM
I believe that in in mid 2007 there are some partial relaxation of the restrictions under the patent held by Cobasys which restricts the use of large scale NtiMH in propulsion applications , it may not surprise you to know that Cobasys is a Chevron Texaco company ! this is why the prius is stuck with the weedy 1.3 kwh battery.
these patents run out in 2015 so until then Big Oil has got Toyota by the short and curlys ! what a wonderful world we live in ! As a post script , you never guess who let big oil get these patents , yes you guessed it , our friends at GM !
Posted by: andrichrose | 15 February 2007 at 08:46 AM
I believe that in in mid 2007 there are some partial relaxation of the restrictions under the patent held by Cobasys which restricts the use of large scale NtiMH in propulsion applications , it may not surprise you to know that Cobasys is a Chevron Texaco company ! this is why the prius is stuck with the weedy 1.3 kwh battery.
these patents run out in 2015 so until then Big Oil has got Toyota by the short and curlys ! what a wonderful world we live in ! As a post script , you never guess who let big oil get these patents , yes you guessed it , our friends at GM !
Posted by: andrichrose | 15 February 2007 at 08:54 AM
A new 'design language'? Spare me.
Posted by: Jeff | 16 February 2007 at 09:21 AM
I guess since Toyota has been bashed around for its refusal to commit to a polug in hybrid, it felt the ned to whip up some fluff and present it to the ignorant public as something new and revolutionary. After the various dust-to-dust energy analyses that have demonstrated the stupidity of hybird vehicles, the very last thing this country (or the world) needs is yet another type of useless hybrid. We've spent way too much time, effort and money on a technology that we now know is bankrupt and that, energy-wise, we'd be better off without them. Just another isnstance of throwing taxpayer and consumer money after a problem without having performed even the most elementary analysis of the technology beforehand. We're doing the same by errecting those primitive, nearly useless
wind turbines, that NEVER produce power when it's most needed (less than 2.5% capacity during peak demand) and
hardly any otherwise (less than 30% capacity, less than 1/4 of 1 percent of U.S. electrical capacity).
Posted by: kent beuchert | 17 February 2007 at 11:52 AM
Kent,
What dust to dust energy analyses are you referring to that demonstrate the "stupidity" of hybrids?
Do you have the same aversion to plug-in hybrids? They seem to complement wind technology well, given that they will usually charge overnight when the turbines usually generate the most power.
What types of vehicles and power generation do you recommend into the future?
Posted by: Steven Hult | 18 February 2007 at 12:21 PM
Steven,
I believe this is what Kent is talking about.
US data trashes Prius claim of 'greenest car'
I don't know where to find the actual analysis, and wether this is all the facts I don't know, but it's something to take into consideration if you are looking to be "greener" in your car purchasing.
Posted by: Eric Wagner | 27 February 2007 at 10:20 PM
Well well, why dont we just not make a better car with better milage and just keeping fighting a war over oil, oh and the best part wait... gas keeps going up.
Im not a toyota fan but when the big 3 finally come up with a car or truck that gets good gas milage and isnt a P.O.C. then maybe the americans will buy it...
Posted by: chefshoey | 03 March 2007 at 09:37 AM