Toyota has set its sights high—or rather, low—with its aim to build a “completely recyclable zero-emissions car.” That sounds rather far-fetched: but with its successful hybrid technology Toyota has earned the right to speak in such terms.

Hybrids will never be zero emission cars but they’re an important interim step. And with 11 hybrids on sale, Toyota is the acknowledged leader in this area. Its plans are keenly scrutinized by rivals and customers alike, so the world debut of the Hybrid X concept was one of the Geneva show events generating plenty of buzz.

Physically the same size as a conventional family car of today, Hybrid X is a vision of the family car of the future. It’s a one-box design with an all-glass roof but boxed-in luggage area. The roof glass frames, viewed from above, resemble an X, hence the name. The interior is marked by ultrathin seats and flat load floor; the rear seats swivel by up to 12 degrees so passengers can enjoy looking out more comfortably.

It’s light, airy and open with great all round visibility. The car has a smooth profile devoid of protruding shapes (even door handles are flush), which aids efficiency. “Intelligent” LED headlights incorporate tiny screens that are able to communicate messages to pedestrians and other drivers.

FT-HS Sports Concept

Making its European debut is a very different conceptual application of hybrid drive—the FT-HS sports car, intended to show that a car capable of the 0-62 mph sprint in under 4 seconds can still offer outstandingly low emissions.

It’s a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive, four-seat supercar-like coupe. Finished (unusually for a sports car concept) in brilliant white, it’s a purposeful, edgy shape with a retractable carbon fiber roof and smoked glass engine cover—through which the 400-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 hybrid drive system can be glimpsed. The futuristic interior features a hub-less steering wheel.

While these are both interesting concepts regardless of power source, it’s notable that Toyota is not making claims for the economy either would be capable of. Hybrids so far have been less successful and cutting emissions in out-of-town driving so making an effective sports car hybrid will be a challenge. And while Toyota has the lead in hybrid technology right now, the company acknowledges that “gas and diesel engines will be the major source of automotive power for years to come [and] a major effort is being made to reduce [their] environmental impact.”

An example is the RAV4—Europe’s best-selling small SUV. The 2.2 D-4D diesel engine available in RAV4 now gets a particulate filter. Diesel engines produce less CO₂ than petroleum engines, but more of the sooty particulates and nitrogen oxides that can cause health issues, especially in built-up areas. Filters can considerably clean up diesel exhausts; the new D4-D engine already meets the EU’s exacting EURO-5 standards that are due to come into force in 2009.

Also prominently displayed is probably Toyota’s most important car in terms of sales: the new Auris, the Corolla replacement that has just reached Europe’s showrooms.