Toyota, a pioneer in automotive innovation, has consistently pushed boundaries, from introducing the Prius hybrid to launching the Mirai, the first commercially available hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) in North America. Now, Toyota elevates the concept of the Toyota Sedan with the second-generation Mirai, a vehicle that embodies cutting-edge design, advanced technology, and exhilarating performance, all while championing a sustainable future.
Based on a premium rear-wheel-drive platform, the new Mirai emerges as a sophisticated, coupe-inspired sedan, offering enhanced passenger space and unparalleled comfort. Set to launch in late 2020, this model marks a significant leap in Toyota’s hydrogen FCEV powertrain technology, providing a compelling glimpse into the future of the toyota sedan and Toyota’s overall vehicle lineup. This dramatic evolution in design is matched by an equally transformative driving experience. The Mirai targets a 30% increase in driving range, achieved through advancements in fuel cell system efficiency and greater hydrogen storage capacity. Beyond its eco-credentials, the new Mirai promises a more dynamic, engaging, and remarkably quiet ride, setting a new benchmark for the toyota sedan segment.
Yoshikazu Tanaka, Chief Engineer of the Mirai, encapsulates the vision: “Our aim was to create a car that drivers would desire for its own merits – a vehicle with captivating emotional design and responsive performance that brings genuine driving pleasure. We want customers to choose the Mirai because they are drawn to this car, and its FCEV nature becomes an added bonus.”
The Mirai operates as an electric vehicle, eliminating the need for conventional charging. It generates electricity onboard using hydrogen and oxygen, emitting only water as its byproduct. Refueling is quick and convenient, taking approximately five minutes at a hydrogen fueling station, currently available in California and Hawaii, with expansion plans underway for the Northeast and other regions. Toyota envisions a future where fuel cell electric technology becomes as widespread as its hybrid electric technology, positioning FCEVs alongside battery electric vehicles (BEVs) in its comprehensive electrification strategy.
Electrified Elegance in Sedan Form
The second-generation Mirai toyota sedan marks a significant design departure, transitioning to a rear-wheel-drive platform from its predecessor’s front-wheel-drive configuration. This shift underpins a more rigid, lower, longer, and wider body, lending the Mirai a bolder stance, further accentuated by optional 20-inch alloy wheels. The design prioritizes aerodynamics while exuding emotional appeal, proving that zero-emission vehicles can be both environmentally conscious and aesthetically striking.
Inspired by coupe silhouettes, the Mirai toyota sedan presents a sleek, contemporary profile, maintaining an approachable elegance. The new platform enhances interior spaciousness, comfortably accommodating five passengers, increasing its versatility as a family sedan. The Mirai’s refined, sculpted form is highlighted by the introduction of Hydro Blue, a novel color for Toyota achieved through an intricate multi-layer painting process, adding depth and brilliance.
The interior of the new Mirai toyota sedan echoes the exterior’s sophisticated tone, featuring a clean, modern layout with subtle futuristic touches that remain user-friendly. Drivers accustomed to traditional luxury sedans will find the Mirai’s cabin immediately familiar and inviting. Toyota has prioritized cabin quietness, further enhancing the luxurious ambiance of this forward-thinking toyota sedan.
The dashboard’s minimalist design seamlessly integrates advanced technology, including a standard 8-inch digital combination meter and an optional digital rearview mirror displaying real-time images from a rear camera. The standard Toyota Premium Multimedia system, featuring a 12.3-inch high-resolution TFT touchscreen, incorporates navigation and a premium 14-speaker JBL sound system, ensuring a connected and immersive experience within this state-of-the-art toyota sedan.
Toyota’s Commitment to Fuel Cell Technology for Sedans and Beyond
Toyota’s dedication to hydrogen fuel cell technology stems from its recognition of hydrogen’s vast potential as a versatile and scalable energy source. Fuel cells can be adapted for a wide range of applications, from powering small devices to large-scale infrastructure. Toyota’s investment in fuel cell technology extends beyond passenger vehicles, as demonstrated by its deployment of fuel cell powertrains in a test fleet of Kenworth Class 8 semi-trucks capable of hauling up to 80,000 lbs. These zero-emission heavy-duty trucks are currently operating in and around the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles, California, showcasing the broad applicability of fuel cell technology.
As the cost, size, and weight of fuel cell systems continue to decrease and hydrogen fueling infrastructure expands, the market is poised for growth in FCEVs, including toyota sedan models like the Mirai. A key advantage of FCEVs is their rapid refueling time, comparable to conventional gasoline vehicles, offering convenience without compromising environmental responsibility.
Understanding FCEV Technology in the Toyota Sedan
For those acquainted with electric vehicles (EVs), Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs) represent a “plug-less” alternative. Unlike EVs that require hours for battery charging, FCEVs, such as the Mirai toyota sedan, can be refueled with hydrogen in about five minutes – mirroring the refueling experience of traditional vehicles.
In an FCEV, compressed hydrogen fuel is combined with oxygen from the air within a fuel cell system. This electrochemical process generates (1) electricity, which powers the vehicle’s motor, (2) heat, and (3) water, the only emission.
Fuel cell technology has a history predating the automobile by decades. The fundamental principle was discovered in 1839 when a Welsh physicist produced electric current by combining hydrogen and oxygen with an electrolyte. By the 1960s, this technology was integral to NASA’s Gemini and Apollo space missions, providing spacecraft crews with both electricity and potable water from stored hydrogen and oxygen. Today, fuel cells are utilized across diverse industries globally, and hydrogen can be produced sustainably and locally.
Toyota’s pioneering work in fuel cell development began concurrently with the original Prius over two decades ago. The Mirai toyota sedan benefits from shared technology and components from Toyota’s extensive hybrid program. Toyota has engineered the solid-polymer electrolyte fuel cells used in both generations of the Mirai and has proactively released its patents royalty-free to encourage the widespread adoption of FCEV technology.
A fuel cell comprises an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte membrane. Hydrogen flows through the anode, and oxygen through the cathode. Hydrogen molecules are split into electrons and protons. Protons migrate through the electrolyte membrane, while electrons traverse an external circuit, generating electric current and heat. At the cathode, protons, electrons, and oxygen recombine to form water molecules. This process yields no harmful byproducts, only pure water, underscoring the clean and sustainable nature of the Mirai toyota sedan.
