Toyota Unveils Hybrid X in Geneva
06 March 2007
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| Hybrid-X derives its name from the X-like shape created by the glass frame area. Click to enlarge. |
Toyota used the Geneva Motor Show to reveal the Hybrid X—a concept car that proposes a new design language for hybrid models, while also acting as an innovative technology showcase for future generation hybrid cars.
The X in the name refers not to a powertrain development, but to the design. A massive upper glass frame area and unconventional A and C pillars give the impressions of a vast X when viewed from above.
Toyota’s European styling center in the south of France, ED2, created and developed Hybrid X. Toyota suggests that the design proposes “unconventional creative solutions that will themselves potentially become the signature points of a specific hybrid identity.” Perhaps the next-generation Prius, or successor.
Toyota also showcased the FT-HS sports concept, first unveiled in Detroit, at the Geneva show. (Earlier post.)
The Hybrid X points towards the future of “eco-tech” driving. It offers families space and comfort in a stylish package, combining environmental performance with user-friendly advanced technologies. In complete contrast, the concept car FT-HS, or Future Toyota Hybrid Sports, presents Toyota’s vision of the 21st century sports car.
Hybrid X and FT-HS represent two poles of the hybrid spectrum, which define the frontiers for an array of Hybrid Synergy Drive solutions for the future. Our hybrid research and development is one tangible example of our policy of developing “the right car, for the right place, at the right time.” This means that the company continues to pursue a multi-track approach, developing improved diesel and petrol powertrains that are integral to Toyota’s environmental strategy.
—Thierry Dombreval, Executive Vice-President, Toyota Motor Europe
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| Toyota’s roadmap. Note the addition of the plug-in hybrid. Click to enlarge. |
In a backgrounder on its approach to the market, Toyota said that it is steadily moving forward with the development of hybrid systems as its core environmental technology, combining different power sources in ways that maximize the strengths of each. The Toyota group plans to double its hybrid vehicle line-up by the early part of the next decade and is targeting one million hybrid vehicle sales a year by the early 2010s.
Toyota also emphasized the importance of energy diversification (striking a note also taken by GM CEO Rick Wagoner in his speech at Geneva). Toyota briefly mentioned ethanol, gas-to-liquids (GTL) synthetic diesel, hydrogen, and battery technology as viable alternatives.
While all these alternative energy sources provide possible hope for the future, it is hybrid technology that holds the advantage. Hybrid can help maximize the merits of all energy sources, whether they are conventional, such as petrol or diesel, or alternative.
This explains why Toyota is committed to developing hybrid systems as one of the company’s core vehicle technologies, combining different power sources in ways that maximize the strengths of each and enabling new visions in innovative and environmental hybrid driving.
Toyota has sold close to 900,000 hybrid vehicles worldwide, with more than 650,000 of them Prius units. European sales of the Prius have topped 50,000.
So what can Toyota do with Diesel Hybrid Technology.
Add the plug in technology and 150 mpg?
I would love to see the Prius with a Diesel. 70mpg?
Posted by: Paul | 06 March 2007 at 05:27 PM
If Prius was available as a diesel hybrid, I would trade my 2006 Honda Civic Hybrid for one.
That combination makes a lot of sense.
Posted by: Lucas | 06 March 2007 at 06:25 PM
I just had a look at the photo gallery at autobloggreen, the fact that this car has mirrors (unlike the Honda) suggests to me that the production model will be quite similar. The interior will probably not look like this though. The styling will definitely provoke love and hate reactions. I really like the design, especially the wipers (can you spot them?) and the headlights. I think they could have hidden the gas cap. Photovoltaics integrated into the roof glass would be a nice touch (hint, hint).
Posted by: mark | 06 March 2007 at 06:42 PM
I like the look as well but the bottom line for the new generation of green cars out in the next few years will be whether you can plug them in. From what I've heard this will not be an option for the 2008 Prius.
Posted by: marcus | 06 March 2007 at 09:49 PM
Maybe I'm being too harsh. I guess the new prius will do great as a standard HEV but I would be more tempted to get an EV by 2010.
Posted by: marcus | 06 March 2007 at 09:53 PM
thats all bullshit,
just take a old leightweight Audi A2 1,2 TDI,
with new piezo injection and you get
120mpg.
thats what i need,
and i would never understand why one has to use the car in the city, when he is faster with bike, ebike, pedelec ...
Posted by: expert | 07 March 2007 at 01:13 AM
CNG hybrid will be the best vehicle for CO2 emissions, the way to go.
Posted by: John Baldwin | 07 March 2007 at 02:13 AM
Those aliens that Toyota stole this UFO from have gotta be mad!
Posted by: Schmeltz | 07 March 2007 at 05:27 AM
What about the propulsion system?
My guess is: A series PHEV with at least 40 mile AER.
Posted by: EV | 07 March 2007 at 06:59 AM
Wouldn't all that glass create a heat problem or is that obviated by tinting? Also, I'm having trouble seeing the X, guess it's just me or the designers had very good imaginations. Frankly, I don't care about the design concept as I am perfectly happy with my Prius. If a change in design will get better mileage and retain the existing volume and safety, then fine and dandy.
Posted by: tom | 07 March 2007 at 07:11 AM
expert,
43,000 fatalities in a year on the roads. Nearly half from motorcycles and bicyclists. Registrations for motorcycles don't even come close to car registrations. I seriously doubt you will convince the majority to use your option of transportation mode.
Posted by: Patrick | 07 March 2007 at 07:38 AM
This is OT, but Patrick might want to check his claims.
This recent report notes 4,500 annual motorcycle deaths: http://tinyurl.com/2mrbsu
Annual bicycling deaths are a fraction of that, at 725 in 2004: http://tinyurl.com/kutma
Posted by: djc | 07 March 2007 at 08:02 AM
Well, I could have been way off since I did not actually look up the numbers but given your numbers of 4500 motorcyclist and car registrations FAR outnumbering motorcycle registrations it is obvious (especially when taken on a death per million mile value) that motorcycles are extremely deadly compared to cars.
Well, instead of continuing to talk without numbers let me go ahead and put the numbers bare for all to see:
243.0 million registered ground vehicles
136.4 million registered passenger cars
5.8 million registered motorcycles
91.8 million 2 axle 4 tire vehicles (light duty trucks)
With 4553 motorcyclist deaths in 2005.
40 fatalities per million vehicle miles.
760 injuries per million vehicle miles.
851 crashes per million vehicle miles.
Passenger car data:
1.2 fatalities per million vehicle miles.
101 injuries per million vehicle miles.
281 crashes per million vehicle miles.
Light truck data:
1.2 fatalities per million vehicle miles.
82 injuries per million vehicle miles.
308 crashes per million vehicle miles.
In RELATIVE terms you are 33 times more likely to die, 7.5 times more likely to be injured, and 3 times more likely to be in an accident on a motorcycle.
So ride at your own risk! I think I may go for a nice cruise on my motorcycle tonight.
Posted by: Patrick | 07 March 2007 at 09:11 AM
Data from the bts gov site- national transportation statistics.
BTW- motorcycles are terrible polluters. What they save in CO2 is far outweighed by the toxic junk spewed from their tailpipes.
...seems I am due for a fatality soon since I'll have nearly 25,000 miles under my belt on the motorcycle (40 fatalities per million miles and all).
Posted by: Patrick | 07 March 2007 at 09:15 AM
On the motorcycle issue, how many of those accidents were attributed to the fact that a certain fraction of those riders were predisposed to "high-risk" taking? I certainly wouldn't expect to see an elderly person riding a motorcycle! So as far as I can see, all those statistics are irrelevant unless you subdivide the risk-takers from the non risk-takers and then you can calculate your chances of an accident on a motorcycle based on the group you belong to. That would be the correct way to take these statistics. Just like I assume Patrick is not a risk-taker, his chances of being in an accident are far less than, say, a younger person with an invincibility attitude. By the way, I have never been in an accident in 20 years of riding despite the fact that I live in an area of the US with high motorcycle accident occurrences.
Posted by: Richard | 07 March 2007 at 09:30 AM
http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2007/autos/0703/gallery.geneva/3.html
Another clear picture. Definitely its going to be Plugin. A wagon-like shape in the back will allow this vehicle to carry a cylinder for CNG making it a Tri-brid as well.
Posted by: Max Reid | 07 March 2007 at 09:32 AM
I've been saying this since '97: Diesel-Electric Hybrids are the most practical real-world solution. That's what each member of the Big 3 came up with in the mid 90's in the 80mpg sedan intiative that was PNGV.
Run them with Bio-diesel (see www.greasecar.com). Just like vintge German U-boats, or locomotives: the diesel runs a generator and the drive system is all electric. Add a plug-in feature and then we'd be making progress.
Posted by: DieselHybrid | 07 March 2007 at 09:41 AM
Perhaps the next generation of hybrids, PHEVs, and BEVs will fare better in the European market than the current crop are.
I'm sure if they had a diesel hybrid it would sell better than the gasoline hybrids do in the EU.
Posted by: Patrick | 07 March 2007 at 10:02 AM
Interesting to look at, but I'd much rather read a RAV4 hybrid announcement. I can't wait much longer and may buy a 2008 Escape hybrid, even if it's not much fun to drive.
Posted by: Scott | 07 March 2007 at 10:21 AM
I think everyone should just screw everything else and buy a bike car.
see http://www.bikecarmovie.com/
Posted by: Brad | 07 March 2007 at 10:39 AM
As long as we are fantasizing on what we'd like to see, how about an awd Prius with adjustable suspension for those deep snow days or rough dirt roads? If I am going to get awd, I'd still like to maximize gas mileage on terrain that doesn't require high ground clearance.
Posted by: tom | 07 March 2007 at 11:20 AM
Patrick your data is a bunch of BS. By your numbers, if you travel 25000 miles on a motorcycle in a lifetime, you are certain to die. You are full of it.
Posted by: pastulio | 07 March 2007 at 05:32 PM
By the same data:
In a passenger car you are likely to have 1 injury accident every 9900 miles. Yeah tight. Each and every one of us has an injury accident every year. I'm so sure.
in a passenger car we have have a crash on average every 3558 miles! WOW! Where do you come up with this BS Patrick?
Posted by: pastulio | 07 March 2007 at 05:54 PM
Prius is a piece of junk. In the city you are more efficient with an economy car if you speed up as slowly as a Prius. On highway they have no advantage over ICE cars because its the gas engine that is running the car. Even if you plug it in the highway driving is still done by the gas engine. A Volt on the other hand is run completely with the electric engine. Save your money and the environment buy electric conversion or wait for a series hybrid.
Posted by: Henry | 08 March 2007 at 05:10 AM
The Edrive plug-in Prius gets 120-150 mpg at highway speeds (60 mph plus). Yes the engine is on, but it is working much less.
Posted by: clett | 08 March 2007 at 05:13 AM