Toyota 1/x Plug-In: Just as buzzworthy as the Volt?

Toyota's 1/x plug-in makes a splash in Chicago

There has been a lot of buzz at the Chicago Auto Show regarding the Toyota 1/x plug-in hybrid vehicle. The lithium-powered hybrid powertrain powering this flex fuel hybrid is 1/4th the total weight of the Prius powertrain - demonstrating the potential of lithium.

Also, using carbon fiber, the 600 mile ranged hybrid is also 1/3 the weight of the Prius. And while carbon-fiber is still very expensive, Toyota is investing heavily to make carbon fiber a reality.

Isn't the 1/x just as much of a revolutionary concept as the Chevy Volt? Isn't the 1/x just as buzzworthy as the Volt?

Toyota 1x plug-in hybrid to lead to carbon-fiber research center

Twice as efficient as the Prius

Toyota's 1/x plug-in hybrid vehicle isn't going to be on a street near you anytime soon; however, it might eventually drive carbon-fiber derived hybrid vehicles into your neighborhood in the near future.

"Despite its strength and light weight, carbon fiber's high cost has so far limited its use in mass produced automobiles.

But anticipating rising demand, Japan's Toray Industries Inc. said earlier this month it would invest 20 billion yen (170 million dollars) to set up a research and production centre for the material in Nagoya, near the Toyota headquarters, by 2010," writes the AFP.

A few more Toyota hybrid concepts

Toyota 1/x plug-in hybrid concept

According to the Green Car Congress Toyota will also show this 1/x plug-in hybrid concept at the Tokyo Auto Show.

"Among the concepts is the 1/X, (pronounced “one-Xth”), a vehicle that maintains an interior space on par with that of the Prius, with a targeted fuel efficiency that is double that of the Prius and a weight reduced to 420 kilograms (about one third the weight of the Prius).

The 1/X features a 500cc flex-fuel engine and a plug-in hybrid powertrain. Built of carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) throughout the body frame to ensure superior collision safety, it sports narrower pillars for a better field of vision."

In addition, Toyota will also debut Lexus LF-Xh hybrid SUV concept.

On a side note, the comments for this Green Car Congress post focus a lot on carbon fiber composites and whether they have any role in the future of automobiles. The consensus so far is that they do not.

I disagree. Aside from the revolutionary changes occurring in nanotechnology, there are other composite materials available, such as recycled plastic. Then again, I'm no materials scientist.