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What
is Hybrid X?
Friday,
March 02, 2007
-->Breaking
-- The
Hybrid X AND the Third Generation Prius?
Is
the FT-HS hybrid concept Hybrid X?
Earlier this week I mentioned that Toyota will debut the Hybrid
X at the Geneva Auto show next week and I wondered
whether the Hybrid X is the FT-HS
concept, or a derivative of this concept. I just don't
know.
Also, recently, Toyota claimed that the third
generation Toyota Prius, and all of Toyota's hybrid
cars, will utilize lithium-ion batteries, rather than
the NiMH batteries used today. This development - this
revolution - promises much lighter vehicles and greater
energy capacity - two things that should increase both the
performance and the fuel efficiency of Toyota's hybrid
vehicles. At the same time, Toyota claimed this will also
reduce the price of hybrid technology.
So is this Hybrid X?
Back to the FT-HS. The FT-HS hybrid is a lithium-ion
powered hybrid vehicle, which means its a third generation
Toyota hybrid. Additionally, the FT-HS uses carbon fiber
in its body. While this isn't terribly uncommon for
concept cars, there are many whom believe that carbon
fiber's weight and strength position it as an important
part of the automotive future.
Is Toyota serious about carbon composites? Is this part of
Hybrid X?
While that might seem too sci-fi for reality, GM is also
exploring this direction, except GM is using plastic
composites, such as was debuted on the Chevy
Volt hybrid concept at NAIAS.
So, much like hybrid cars, is Toyota going to again do
what everyone else says is impossible?
On the other hand, maybe the Hybrid X is a city hybrid - a
derivative of the current Toyota
Prius, just smaller and lighter. Such a hybrid, with
lithium technology, might achieve 80 mpg or more without
any plug-in technology. Is this the Hybrid X?
Or, maybe Toyota is really pushing the envelope and going
for the holy grail of hybrid cars, the plug-in hybrid
vehicle. Toyota has in the past claimed that they are
investigating the potential of plug-in hybrid technology,
and Toyota has admitted that they would produce plug-in
hybrid vehicles if the technology were proven
road-ready.
Since Toyota is ready to evolve to lithium, is Toyota also
ready to evolve to plug-in capabilities?
While I have more questions than answers, I'm as excited
as ever about the potential of Hybrid X. And, if I were
any other automaker, I'd be as worried as ever about what
Hybrid X might be.
posted
by Dahcredyns at
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