Toyota will unveil its minimalistic 1/X (pronounced one-Xth) concept vehicle at the Tokyo Motor Show next week. The concept is meant to redefine from its very roots the idea of what it means to be environmentally considerate. Among its technological attributes, the vehicle - with a design that aims to harmoniously coexist with people and society - weighs only "1/Xth" that of other vehicles in its 
class. The concept, which adopts light but highly rigid carbon fiber reinforced plastic throughout the body frame, features narrow pillars for a better field of vision. Inside the skeletal structure the 1/X maintains an interior spac
e on par with that of the Prius, while its target fuel efficiency is double and its weight has been reduced to 420kg (about one third of the Prius' weight).
Its power unit - located beneath the rear seat for a midship, rear-wheel-drive system - combines fossil fuel consumption-reducing FFV (flexible fuel vehicle) technology and a plug-in hybrid powertrain with a displacement of only 500cc. This allows charging from an external power source and a longer electric-motor cruising distance. The result of its lower weight and fuel conserving technology is a drastic decrease of CO2 and less air pollution.