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What is it? The Toyota 1/X concept makes its North American debut at the Chicago Auto Show, alongside a Prius plug-in hybrid vehicle and ALCAN Highway fuel-cell vehicle. Previously revealed at the Tokyo Auto Show last fall, the 1/X name (pronounced 1/Xth) represents that the vehicle mass and fuel emissions output are a fraction of other vehicles in its class.
The four-seat 1/X features an aerodynamic, lightweight design that is as spacious as the Prius, yet weighs under 1,000 pounds. The concept car is made up of carbon-fiber reinforced plastic. The 1/X roof is made from bio-plastic derived from kenaf and ramie plants, an approach that improves heat insulation, reduces noise, and leads to less carbon dioxide emissions.
A plug-in hybrid, the 1/X features a home-rechargeable lithium-ion battery with a 500cc flex-fuel engine. Toyota says the theoretical range is 600 miles from its a four gallon fuel tank and its acceleration is similar to a Prius. Contributing to its efficiency, the lightweight design allows the use of smaller and thinner tires that minimize rolling resistance.
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