Remember Toyota’s hydrogen-powered FCV concept from the 2013 Tokyo Motor show? It took a couple of years, but for the 2015 model year, Toyota released the production version of the FCV Concept called the Toyota Mirai. In short, the Mirai is a sporty looking car that has an electric drivetrain and is powered completely by hydrogen. Currently only available in certain locals that have hydrogen fueling stations, the Mirai can achieve up to 310 miles per tank of hydrogen and emits nothing but a little H20 from its “exhaust” pipe. For being the best of its kind at this time, the Mirai has a respectable amount of cargo room in the rear boot and features an upscale interior with a digital, center-mounted instrument cluster and a large touchscreen infotainment system. Priced at more than $50,000 here in the U.S. the materials and their fit and finish inside are comparable to that of a Lexus or BMW.
When the Mirai made its official debut, Toyota also announced that it was unleashing a large campaign to start making hydrogen readily available for the masses. The brand has teamed up with hydrogen supplier Air Liquide to bring hydrogen to New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island, to name a few. These add to the 19 refueling stations Toyota has helped bring to Southern California in the past.
Toyota believes that hydrogen will eventually be a fuel of choice, so it has been pushing the implementation of it pretty hard. So hard, in fact, that the Mirai is actually part of Toyota’s core lineup. Of course, it isn’t available in places where hydrogen isn’t available, but something tells us that Toyota will continue to push for new hydrogen stations in the future and will bring the Mirai and even more hydrogen vehicles to new areas as quickly as it can. Until then, take a look at our full review below.
Click past the jump to read more about the 2016 Toyota Mirai.
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2016 Toyota Mirai
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Year:2016
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0-60 time:9 sec.
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Top Speed:125 mph (Est.)
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Price:57500 (Est.)
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Exterior
The Mirai might not be the prettiest thing on Toyota’s roster, but it gets the job done. It somehow incorporates the look of the Corolla and Prius, while having a unique visual signature unmistakable with anything else.
An interesting character line runs from the headlights to the A-Pillars while massive, massive, air intakes allow cool air behind the front fascia. Alloy wheels and tons of swooping accent lines dress up the Mirai’s sides, while the rear end gets some very stylized taillights.
Mirrored to look similar to the front air intakes, the main taillights have a triangular shape to them while a large light bar runs across the trunk lid like an older BMW 7 Series.
Interior
The Mirai’s interior is just as boldly designed as the outside. The swooping dash curves and arcs, bringing plenty of detail inside. A Prius-like gauge cluster rests along the upper section of the dash, providing the car’s pertinent information. A large center screen hosts Toyota’s Entune system for navigation and entertainment.
Down below on the center console rests a Cadillac-like haptic control panel with a digital readout for the HVAC controls. Piano-black plastics dress up the cabin quite nicely, but will surely show every little spec of dust and every fingerprint smudge. Another Prius element is tied in with the electronic gear selector and push-button park.
Toyota’s Entune infotainment system comes with GPS included for helping find nearby hydrogen fueling stations. Also included in the mix is a host of safety features, including vehicle pre-collision, blind spot monitor, lane-departure alert, drive-start control, and automatic high beams.
Drivetrain
Obviously the biggest news with the Mirai is its hydrogen fuel cell powerplant. Much like electric cars, a fuel cell vehicle uses electric motors to power the wheels, but instead of being powered by banks of battery packs, power comes from a reaction between the stored hydrogen and outside oxygen. The reaction generates only electricity and water vapors.
Toyota’s in-house-designed fuel cell stack offers an impressive 3.1 kW/L of hydrogen. The electric motor produces a total of 153 horsepower, giving it a 0-to-60-mph time of nine seconds. That’s on par with the Prius. Fueling takes roughly five minutes, so there’s no waiting around for batteries to charge.
Interestingly, Toyota is equipping the car with a PTO, or power take off, that enables users to their Mirai as a generator. Imagine powering your house with a car. And thanks to hydrogen’s high density of energy, you’d be able to power your house for an entire week while only emitting heat and water vapor. Insanity
For those worried about catastrophes happening on the road, Toyota says the hydrogen tanks are built from carbon fiber and Kevlar to ensure they stay sealed during a crash. Extensive testing was done in extreme conditions from searing heat in Death Valley to frigid temperatures in Yellowknife, Canada.
Prices
The Mirai will begin to hit the market in the fall of 2015 with a price of $499 per month for 36 months with $3,649 due at signing as a lease option or for outright purchase at $57,500. Toyota says there’s $13,000 worth of state and federal incentives available, bringing the price to under $45,000.
Toyota is also backing up the Mirai with some impressive add-ons. A 24/7 concierge service with roadside assistance is standard as well as three years of maintenance, and an eight-year/100,000-mile warranty of fuel cell components.
The best part? “Complimentary hydrogen fuel for up to three years.” What other car company is going to fill up your tank for the next three years?
Competition
Honda FCX Clarity
Though technically slated for the chopping block after 2015, the Honda FCX Clarity is a close competitor to the Mirai. It’s fuel cell powerplant produces 100 kW, roughly 134 horsepower and 189 pound-feet of torque. The hydrogen tank is large enough for a 240-mile cruising range.
Honda never sold its FCX Clarity outright to the public, but rather leased the vehicles in certain parts of southern California beginning in 2008 for $600 per month for three years.
Hyundai Tucson Fuel Cell
Hyundai has recently jumped on board the fuel cell wagon with its popular crossover SUV. Starting in the fall of 2014, Hyundai began leasing its Tucson FCV in California for $2,999 down and $499 per month. That’s not a bad deal considering the SUV enjoyed a range of 265 miles per tank, or roughly 51 mpg highway.
The Tucson enjoys a somewhat larger motor and fuel cell system, capable of producing 134 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque.
Conclusion
Toyota made history with the hybrid Prius, showing the world that hybrid and electrically powered cars were a viable option and could be mass produced. The automaker is now pushing to prove the same thing with hydrogen, getting farther and farther away from using fossil fuels and natural resources when making a drive across town.
Whether Toyota accomplishes that goal or not has yet to be seen, but with the way the Mirai looks and its impressive 300-mile range, five-minute fill-up time, PTO generator capabilities, fantastic warranty, and free fuel for three years, the Japanese automaker just may just hold the key to the future.
Update history
Updated 12/17/2014: Toyota unveiled five new video for the new Mirai FCV. Click past the "Video" tab to learn new things about Toyota’s latest zero-emissions sedan. Enjoy!
Updated 01/23/2015: We’ve added a series of new images from the car’s official debut at the 2015 Detroit Auto Show. Check the new images in the "Pictures" tab.
Updated 07/22/2015: Toyota has started taking orders for the 2016 Mirai, with the first examples set to arrive in October 2015.
Press Release 1
Akio Toyoda has seen the future, and it’s called “Mirai.” That’s the name of Toyota’s new fuel cell vehicle, which the company’s president announced in a video released the night before the car’s official launch.
Mirai, which means “future” in Japanese, represents a turning point for the automotive industry. The groundbreaking vehicle can travel up to 300 miles on a single tank of hydrogen, refuel in less than five minutes and emits only water vapor.
Expanded Support for New Hydrogen Stations
Of course, the car of the future won’t become a reality without the hydrogen stations to support it. That’s why Toyota North America chief executive officer (CEO) Jim Lentz announced a new commitment to drive the development of a hydrogen refueling infrastructure in five northeastern U.S. states.
To support Mirai’s introduction to the region in 2016, Toyota is collaborating with Air Liquide to develop and supply a phased network of 12 state-of-the-art hydrogen stations targeted for New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island. The states and locations have been strategically selected in the greater New York and Boston areas to provide the backbone of a hydrogen highway for the Northeast corridor. Specific details of the collaboration will be revealed in the coming months.
“Toyota’s vision of a hydrogen society is not just about building a great car, but ensuring accessible, reliable and convenient refueling for our customers,” said Jim Lentz. “I am happy to announce that this vision will expand beyond the borders of California and give customers the opportunity to join the fuel cell movement.”
This new announcement builds on Toyota’s previous support for hydrogen infrastructure development in California. In May 2014, Toyota announced a $7.3 million loan to FirstElement Fuels to support the operations and maintenance of 19 hydrogen fueling stations across the state. The commitment augments funding provided by the California Energy Commission, and makes Toyota the only OEM to provide working capital for infrastructure development.
TRANSCRIPT OF AKIO TOYODA’S ANNOUNCEMENT VIDEO
Today, we are at a turning point in automotive history.
A turning point where people will embrace a new, environmentally-friendly car that is a pleasure to drive.
A turning point where a four-door sedan can travel 300 miles on a single tank of hydrogen, can be refueled in under five minutes and emit only water vapor.
A turning point that represents many years and countless hours of work by our team to create a car that redefines the industry.
All of us at Toyota believe in a future that will be safer, greener and easier for everyone.
We imagined a world filled with vehicles that would diminish our dependence on oil and reduce harm to the environment.
It was a bold, but inspiring goal. And, today it is a reality.
Our fuel cell vehicle runs on hydrogen that can be made from virtually anything, even garbage!
It has a fuel cell that creates enough electricity to power a house for about a week.
This is a car that lets you have it all with no compromises.
As a test driver, I knew this new fuel cell vehicle had to be truly fun to drive – and believe me, it is. It has a low center of gravity, which gives it very dynamic handling.
After surviving millions of miles on the test track and 10 years of testing on public roads in freezing cold and scorching heat…
After passing extensive crash tests…
And after working with local governments and researchers around the world to help make sure it is easy and convenient to refuel…
We are ready to deliver.
The name we’ve given to our new car is Mirai, which in Japanese means “future.”
We believe that behind the wheel of the Mirai, we can go places we have never been, to a world that is better, in a car that is better.
For us, this isn’t just another car. This is an opportunity – an opportunity to really make a difference. And making a difference is what Toyota is all about.
The future has arrived. And it’s called Mirai.
Press Release 2
The Toyota Mirai Brings the Future to Your Driveway
- Fuel Cell Electric Sedan Marks Turning Point for Zero-Emission Vehicles
- Range and Refuel Time Compete with Traditional Internal Combustion Engines
- World-Class, 360 Degree Ownership Experience
- Available for Sale or Lease in California Beginning Fall 2015
November 17, 2014
2016 Toyota Mirai Fuel Cell Sedan Product Information
TORRANCE, Calif., (Nov. 17, 2014) – For the second time in a generation, Toyota has re-imagined the future of mobility.
The Toyota Mirai is a four-door, mid-size sedan with performance that fully competes with traditional internal combustion engines – but it uses no gasoline and emits nothing but water vapor. The groundbreaking fuel cell electric vehicle is powered by hydrogen, re-fuels in about five minutes, and travels up to 300 miles on a full tank.
Mirai will be available to customers in California beginning in fall 2015, with additional markets tracking the expansion of a convenient hydrogen refueling infrastructure. Powered by an industry-leading fuel cell electric drivetrain and supported by an exceptional 360-degree ownership experience, Mirai marks a turning point for consumer expectations for a zero-emission vehicle.
Making its Mark with Performance
In its basic operation, a fuel cell vehicle works much like a battery electric vehicle. But instead of the large drive battery, Mirai’s fuel cell stack combines hydrogen gas from tanks with oxygen to produce electricity that powers the electric motor.
Toyota’s proprietary fuel cell stack represents a major leap forward in performance, delivering one of the world’s best power outputs of 3.1 kW/L at a dramatically reduced size that fits under the front driver and passenger seats. The system provides Mirai with a maximum output of 153hp, accelerating from 0-60 in 9.0 seconds and delivering a passing time of 3 seconds from 25-40 mph.
What’s more, thanks to fuel cell technology’s versatility and adaptability, the Mirai offers performance options that go well beyond a traditional automobile. In fact, the vehicle will be offered with an optional power take off (PTO) device that enables Mirai to serve as a mobile generator in case of emergency. With the PTO accessory, Mirai is capable of powering home essentials in an average house for up to a week in an emergency – while emitting only water in the process.
Safe and Reliable Transportation
Toyota began fuel cell development in Japan in the early 90s and have developed a series of fuel cell vehicles, subjecting them to more than a million miles of road testing. In the last two years alone, fuel cell test vehicles have logged thousands of miles on North American roads. This includes hot testing in Death Valley, cold testing in Yellowknife, Canada, steep grade hill climbs in San Francisco and high altitude trips in Colorado. The Toyota-designed carbon fiber hydrogen tanks have also undergone extreme testing to ensure their strength and durability in a crash.
This extended legacy of research and development is reflected in Mirai’s safety and reliability. At Toyota’s advanced Higashifuji Safety Center, the vehicle has been subjected to extensive crash testing to evaluate a design specifically intended to address frontal, side and rear impacts and to provide excellent protection of vehicle occupants. A high level of collision safety has also been achieved to help protect the fuel cell stack and high-pressure tanks against body deformation.
Mirai will also feature a broad range of standard onboard safety technologies, including vehicle pre-collision, blind spot monitor, lane departure alert, drive start control and automatic high beams.
Focused on the Consumer
Toyota believes that outstanding vehicle performance must be matched by an exceptional ownership experience. And Toyota is committed to delivering on that promise.
When it hits the market in 2015, customers can take advantage of Mirai’s $499 per month/36 month lease option, with $3649 due at lease signing, or purchase the vehicle for $57,500. With combined state and federal incentives of $13,000 available to many customers, the purchase price could potentially fall to under $45,000.
- The vehicle will be matched by a comprehensive, 360-degree Ownership Experience offering a range of services, including:
- 24/7 concierge service, with calls answered by a dedicated fuel cell representative;
- 24/7 enhanced roadside assistance, including towing, battery, flat tire assistance, trip interruption reimbursement, and loaner vehicle;
- Three years of Toyota Care maintenance, which covers all recommended factory maintenance, up to 12,000 miles annually;
- Eight-year/100,000-mile warranty on fuel cell components;
- Entune and three years of complimentary Safety Connect, including hydrogen station map app; and,
- Complimentary hydrogen fuel for up to three years.
Building a Convenient Refueling Infrastructure
In addition, Toyota continues to support the development of a convenient and reliable hydrogen refueling infrastructure.
Research at the University of California Irvine’s Advanced Power and Energy Program (APEP) has found that 68 stations, located at the proper sites, could handle a FCV population of at least 10,000 vehicles. Those stations are on their way to becoming a reality. By the end of 2015, 3 of California’s 9 active hydrogen stations and 17 newly-constructed stations are scheduled to be opened to the general public, with 28 additional stations set to come online by the end of 2016, bringing the near-term total to 48 stations.
Nineteen of those 48 stations will be built by FirstElement Fuels, supported by a $7.3 million loan from Toyota. The company has also announced additional efforts to develop infrastructure in the country’s Northeast region. In 2016, Air Liquide, in collaboration with Toyota, is targeting construction of 12 stations in five states – New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island.
Toyota Mirai Fuel Cell Sedan Global Media Preview - Bill Fay
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Toyota Mirai Fuel Cell Sedan Global Media Preview - Chris Hostetter
