With the launch of the Prius in 1997, Toyota carved a new path in the green-machine field. Ten years later, the Prius has sold almost 650,000 copies and Toyota is beginning to plot out what its next technology leader might look like.
Geneva motor show audiences got a first taste of that next-generation Prius in the Hybrid X concept car. The concept was created by Toyota's European ED2 design center in the south of France, and features two "U" shapes in the upper glass area, which when viewed from above give the impression of an "X" - hence the name of the concept. The glass area creates an open space, that from inside can be adjusted via an interface that controls senses of sight, sound, touch, and smell, the company said in a release.
The Hybrid X is designed as a four-door, four-passenger car with an overall length of 177 inches - two inches longer than the current Prius. The Concept has a width of 72.8 inches and a height of 56.6 inches. The rear-hinged passenger doors open electronically by pressing a button.
Toyota sources have told TheCarConnection that the Prius successor has not progressed beyond the thinking stage, which means a replacement before 2009 is unlikely.
