Photos

And what a view! (Photo courtesy of Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.)

TOKYO — Toyota says the name of its 1/X compact hybrid concept should be pronounced "one-Xth," as in "This vehicle weighs only 1/Xth that of other vehicles in its class."

That's way too confusing. Just think of the 1/X as the latest iteration in a long line of gas-electric vehicles from a hybrid pioneer.

Toyota says the 1/X was intended to "redefine from its very roots the idea of what it means to be environmentally considerate." So while much of the focus was on the powertrain, the company's designers and engineers also paid attention to space and weight efficiency, as well as safety.

The 1/X has the same interior space as a Prius, but weighs only 926 pounds — about one-third the weight of a Prius — and aims to double its fuel efficiency. If the EPA were measuring it, the 1/X would have a combined city/highway rating of 90-plus mpg.

The hybrid powertrain in the 1/X uses plug-in technology, with a tiny 500cc gas engine that is mounted beneath the rear seat and drives the rear wheels.

The body is made of carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic for excellent rigidity and structural safety. The high-strength material also permits thinner pillars, providing a better field of vision for the driver.

What this means to you: Can you say "baby Prius"?