Toyota Hybrid X unveiled

By Tim Pollard

First Official Pictures

03 June 2007 02:34

Toyota Hybrid X: that's an odd name...

Apparently, the Hybrid X was named after its unconventional U-shaped front and rear windscreen pillars. Seen in plan view from above, they nearly meet in the middle to assume the shape of an X. It's pure concept fantasy, although we can't help noticing that it's the same size as today's Prius, which has been on sale since 2003. A new Prius isn't due until 2009, and it could pick up a couple of style tips from this 4500mm-long show car. Toyota freely admits the Hybrid X forges new design cues for hybrids, but insists this particular car is not the new Prius.

Strangely, no. Toyota said it had the latest Hybrid Synergy Drive petrol-electric system, but issued no further technical details. This isn't that sort of working concept car, apparently. What it is, is a flight of fancy from the designers at the ED2 studio in southern France. It's another model mixing synaesthesia with outright madness - you can tweak the interior for every bodily sense, changing the smell, light, touch and sound to match your mood. It sounds strange, but you can order sprightly smells to wake you up on the morning commute.

By Tim Pollard