We propose a new hybrid model for variational image restoration using an alternative diffusion switching non-quadratic function with a parameter. The parameter is chosen adaptively so as to minimize the smoothing near the edges and allow the diffusion to smooth away from the edges. This model belongs to a class of edge-preserving regularization methods proposed in the past, the φ{symbol}-function formulation. This involves a minimizer to the associated energy functional. We study the existence and uniqueness of the energy functional of the model. Using real and synthetic images we show that the model is effective in image restoration. © 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.