Chicago 2008: North American Debut of the Toyota 1/x
Click the 1/x for a high-res gallery
The Toyota 1/x (pronounced 1/xth) concept that debuted at the Tokyo Motor Show last fall is making its North American debut at the Chicago Auto Show today. The super lightweight hybrid tips the scales at a mere 926 lbs thanks to a minimalist design and extensive use of carbon fiber. The 500cc flex fuel engine is part of a plug-in hybrid powertrain that weighs only one quarter of the equivalent system in a Prius. The interior has similar interior volume to the Prius while the battery is of the lithium ion variety. One interesting benefit of the of the flyweight design is that it doesn't require much rubber on the road. That allows for reduced aerodynamic drag, rolling resistance and water splash in the rain.
Gallery: Chicago 2008: Toyota 1/x concept
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[Source: Toyota]
Toyota 1/X Concept Makes North American Debut At 2008 Chicago Auto Show
02/06/2008
February 6, 2008 - Chicago, IL - The Toyota 1/X concept vehicle made its North American debut today at the 2008 Chicago Auto Show. Developed by Toyota Motor Corporation, the Toyota 1/X compact hybrid offers a glimpse into the next era of automotive technological design. The Toyota 1/X redefines from its very roots the idea of what it means to be environmentally considerate. Pronounced 1/Xth, the name is derived from its vehicle mass, fuel consumption and emissions output, each totaling a fraction of that of other vehicles in its class.
The 1/X features an aerodynamic ultra-lightweight design that maintains the interior space of the Toyota Prius hybrid and is approximately one-third the weight of the Prius. Its low 926-pound curb weight is partially achieved through the use of a light but very strong carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) throughout the body frame.
The aerodynamic shape of the 1/X and unique cabin design result in smaller pillars, allowing passengers more visibility and helping to create a greater sense of openness and freedom with its outer surroundings for driver and passengers. The CFRP material is lighter and stronger than traditional metals, creating a shock-absorbing like structure with cross-sections that help absorb energy during an impact.
The 1/X roof is produced from a bio-plastic made from environmentally-responsible material derived from kenaf and ramie plants. The result is a roof that improves heat insulation, emits less carbon dioxide, increases the amount of light entering the cabin, and reducing noise.
On the inside, the 1/X employs four ultra-lightweight seats made of polyester fiber that is knitted three-dimensionally for added comfort. The material functions like a spring or damper that helps create a cushion-like feel for all occupants.
The ultra-lightweight stature of the 1/X also helps contribute to a fuel efficiency target that would double that of the Prius and allow the 1/X to operate with an ultra-small hybrid powertrain located under the rear seat. The system combines a home rechargeable plug-in hybrid unit with a small 500cc 0.5-liter flexible-fuel engine that is 1/4th of the total weight of the Prius powertrain. The hybrid plug-in concept is designed to accommodate a lithium-ion battery that would be rechargeable at home. The result is a vehicle with the possibility of traveling over 600 miles on a small four-gallon tank of fuel and achieving the acceleration performance that is equivalent to the Prius.
In consideration of pedestrians and oncoming traffic, the 1/X is equipped with non-glare headlights. The front of the 1/X is dominated by an LED lighting system that sweeps under and across its large front windshield. The LED system helps eliminate glare emanating from the headlights. At sunset, the entire surface of the LED system softly illuminates the entire front surface. With the headlights on, the LED system surrounds the headlights with a soft light, helping to prevent glare from striking oncoming cars and nearby pedestrians.
The light weight of the Toyota 1/X allowed designers to equip the vehicle with smaller and thinner wheels that help reduce splashing while driving in wet conditions. The tires are designed with central grooves that further help prevent water from splashing in the direction of pedestrians.
The 1/X concept is one more example of Toyota's commitment to designing clean, safe and innovative vehicles. The Toyota 1/X concept made its world debut at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show.
TOYOTA 1/X CONCEPT AND PRIUS SPECIFICATION COMPARISON
1/X Concept Prius
Exterior Dimensions (inches)
Total Length 153.5 175.0
Total Width 63.8 67.9
Total Height 55.5 58.1
Wheelbase 102.4 106.3
Weights and Capacities
Curb Weight (lbs) 926 2,890
Seating Capacity 4 5
Powertrain
Gas Engine 0.5 liter 500 cc 1.5 liter 1,497 cc
Hybrid Battery Type Lithium ion Nickel Metal Hydride
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Mike Z 11:06AM (2/06/2008)
Gotta love super-secret Toyota. Bet they have been in bed with the Hypercar people for a few years already.
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Mitch Rybczynski 12:13PM (2/06/2008)
This is one of the few truly innovative vehicles on a show circuit in recent memory. A new direction, for an old and tired technology. Good luck Toyota! I'll be buying one of these if they make them.
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Tim Russell 12:38PM (2/06/2008)
So 1100Lbs. with a driver. My thoughts:
- Would make a good around town vehicle but highways would be scary.
- Looks like a good crosswind would blow it off the road.
- Don't try emergency maneuvers on those skinny tires.
- See through doors show no door beams so it will get heavier to meet crash standards.
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jim williams 10:20PM (2/08/2008)
Looks like an Amory Lovins design, if so it won't have cross wind problems and it will pass safty tests easily. Check out
EcoTech-RMI on utube.
Hope for the future Jim
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GoodCheer 1:12PM (2/06/2008)
A recent post stated that no major manufacturers have entered the X-Prize, but this looks like it would be a serious contender if this part is realized.
"The result is a vehicle with the possibility of traveling over 600 miles on a small four-gallon tank of fuel and achieving the acceleration performance that is equivalent to the Prius."
Count me it too. I'd certainly consider one.
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Phil L. 1:56PM (2/06/2008)
Here's the *REAL* underlying question:
Can this design meet US (and other) crash standards?
If not, it will be another overpriced neighborhood vehicle that can't be sold for what it costs to build it.
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evolknuj 3:02PM (2/06/2008)
For a 'real' example of this type of thinking, look at the Loremo. The Loremo doesn't rely on carbon fiber for its light weight, doesn't rely on an expensive hybrid powertrain for efficiency, and still achieves over 100mpg with the smaller engine option (77mpg with the larger engine). Total weight for the Loremo is about 1300 lbs. That's about 350 lbs more than the 1/x, but it's real and can realistically be produced to meet crash specifications (includes crumple zones and airbags).
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T2 3:39PM (2/06/2008)
What ? No powertrain pics, Mr photographer ? The thing was wide open. If I'd have been there I would have popped the hood and started clicking away.
T2
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Warner Young 6:21PM (2/06/2008)
My Prius got blown around quite a bit in the recent storms, and that seemed scary enough. So I'd be kind of worried about crosswinds in something that light.
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Karl-Uwe Strunzen 10:58PM (2/06/2008)
Count me in too!
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David Mustoe 9:27AM (2/07/2008)
Toyota is showing what can be done, not pretty pictures. I have no doubt that when this becomes the bases for a production vehicle it will handle just fine in cross winds. I drive an Insight, and it proves you don't need cast iron to handle 80 mph cross winds on highway 93 across Rocky Flats, CO.
Old Guy
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psarhjinian 11:27AM (2/07/2008)
The Loremo produces significantly more harmful emissions (diesel, remember?) and hasn't nearly the same passenger or cargo space as this. It also does 0-60 in 20 seconds in base trim and I really doubt it's going to meet crash test regulations.
Now this doesn't mean it's a bad thing per se, but it was primarily designed in the same vein as the Tata Nano: more a four-wheeled motorcycle than a passenger car.
It really bugs me when people pull out some cramped, dog-slow European subcompact diesel as proof of the Prius' failure. Show me a car that gets Prius emissions and has Prius space, not a two-seat, 0-60-in-20-seconds microcar with enough cargo space for a handbag.
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Warner Young 4:39PM (2/07/2008)
David Mustoe: according to Wikipedia, the Insight weighs about 1800lbs, give or take. That would make it almost twice the stated weight of the 1/x, so I'm not sure that's necessarily a good basis for comparison. I'm not saying you're wrong. I'm just not sure that's a close enough comparison to be able to say how the 1/x will handle in high winds.
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GenWaylaid 2:44AM (2/08/2008)
They could halve the weight again by switching to cardboard.
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