Toyota 1/X news - The power of X - 2007

In the wake of Toyota's RiN and Hi-CT Tokyo concepts comes this, the 1/X.

Pronounced, according to Toyota, "one-Xth" - which doesn't really help much - the 1/X is less high-concept than most of Tokyo's other offerings, as it gives a decent preview of where Toyota is going with its next generation of hybrids. The new Prius, in other words.

Indeed, the 1/X has the same interior space as Toyota's ubiquitous hybrid, but with a far smaller road footprint - much nearer in size to the Yaris. This space-saving trick has been achieved by moving the engine to the rear of the car, under the back seats à la Mitsubishi i.

It's an interesting little engine, too - a plug-in hybrid powertrain with a two-cylinder, 500cc petrol unit coupled to a long-range electric motor. Toyota reckons the technology will prove 50 per cent more efficient than that in the current Prius, with lower CO2 emissions into the bargain, too.

That's thanks in part to the 1/X's weight: a mere 420kg, or just one-third that of the current Prius. The carbon-fibre reinforced plastic body not only cuts down the kerbweight but, with narrower pillars, also provides a better field of vision.

Sadly, the overall package looks pretty awful, but that seems to be a prerequisite for Tokyo concepts this year.

We'll have a good look at the 1/X at the show itself... if we can fight our way through the expected queue of chequebook-wielding celebrities.