What if I instructed you there’s an electrical car that gives 402 miles (647 km) of vary and could be totally ‘recharged’ in roughly 5 minutes?

You’d in all probability ask when it’s popping out, nevertheless it’s already right here as we’re speaking in regards to the Toyota Mirai. Which means “future” in Japanese, the Mirai is a outstanding flagship sedan that mixes luxurious and luxury with a gasoline cell powertrain.

That’s notable by itself, however Toyota pulled out all of the stops when it got here to creating the second-generation Mirai. Because of this, it’s a powerful sedan that hints at what a gasoline cell future might appear like.

A Toyota That Turns Heads

The primary-generation Mirai was lots of issues, however lovely definitely wasn’t considered one of them. As an alternative, it was an angular oddity that adopted within the footsteps of the Prius and tried too onerous to be completely different.

The second-generation sedan charts a special course because it adopts a putting design that stands out from the group, whereas additionally trying good doing it. The angular traces have been jettisoned and changed by mushy curves in addition to flowing surfaces.

The entrance finish encompasses a shark-like design with a protruding nostril and a large mouth. The latter is flanked by slender LED lighting models and the automotive’s smooth styling permits for a drag coefficient of 0.29.

Transferring additional again, there’s a protracted hood and a rakish windscreen that flows right into a sloping roof. The mannequin additionally rides on aerodynamically optimized 19-inch alloy wheels, however 20-inchers can be found on the range-topping Restricted. Different highlights embrace full-width brake lights and a trendy trunk with an built-in spoiler.

In addition to trying higher than earlier than, the sedan is extra imposing because it measures 195.8 inches (4,973 mm) lengthy, 74.2 inches (1,885 mm) large, and 57.9 inches (1,471 mm) tall with a wheelbase that spans 114.9 inches (2,918 mm). This implies the second-generation Mirai is 3.3 inches (84 mm) longer than its predecessor and has a 5.5 inch (140 mm) longer wheelbase. The sleeker styling can also be helped by a top discount of two.6 inches (66 mm), whereas width will increase by 2.7 inches (69 mm).

A Comparatively Stylish And Snug Cabin

Given the Mirai begins at $49,500, it comes as little shock the sedan is properly geared up as even the entry-level XLE options energy SofTex entrance seats with heating. They’re joined by a comparatively fundamental 8-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12.3-inch infotainment system with GPS navigation in addition to Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and Amazon Alexa. Regardless of the Mirai’s flagship standing, the automotive hasn’t been upgraded to the all-new Audio Multimedia system that lately debuted within the Tundra. Because of this, the infotainment system is a bit sluggish and dated.

Placing that apart, the Mirai comes geared up with a passive entry system, a dual-zone automated local weather management system, and a 14 speaker JBL audio system with a subwoofer. Different highlights embrace an influence tilt/telescoping steering wheel, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and a wi-fi smartphone charger. Sadly, the latter is a bit infuriating as its slippery floor causes your telephone to slip round whereas driving.

Whereas the entry-level mannequin is spectacular, the $66,000 Mirai Restricted options perforated SofTex upholstery that’s obtainable in a trendy two-tone design. Consumers may also discover an eight colour ambient lighting system, a digital rearview mirror, and heated/ventilated seats in each rows.

The rear seat lodging don’t finish there because the Restricted has a tri-zone local weather management system, which could be adjusted utilizing a contact panel on the rear armrest. The panel additionally permits passengers to manage the audio system in addition to the sunshade for the panoramic glass roof.

For sure, the inside feels worthy of a Toyota flagship and the aforementioned options are joined by padded surfaces and metallic accents. Nonetheless, the cabin falls in need of being really luxurious as there are a handful of low cost trying elements and an excessive amount of gloss black plastic.

These aren’t the one points as the inside is surprisingly cramped. Whereas there’s loads of house up entrance, entry and egress from the rear seat is hard and legroom isn’t as beneficiant as you’d anticipate. The numbers inform the story because the rear seat affords a mere 33.1 inches (841 mm) of legroom and that’s lower than you’ll discover within the Camry, Corolla, and Prius. Making issues worse is the sizable rear tunnel, which suggests anybody unlucky sufficient to take a seat within the center seat should share footwells with their fellow passengers.

A Betamax Powertrain In A VHS World

Whereas the top of the inner combustion period is now close by, the auto business has been planning for this risk for many years. Nonetheless, many firms assumed gasoline cells would win out over battery electrical autos.

It’s not onerous to know why as FCVs provide an a variety of benefits over BEVs. In addition to having a fast refueling course of just like fashions geared up with inner combustion engines, FCVs don’t must haul round heavy and costly battery packs.

Nonetheless, advances in battery know-how have solved lots of the points that plagued early electrical autos. Battery costs have fallen considerably up to now decade, whereas charging instances and ranges have additionally improved.

The 2 competing concepts recall the battle between Betamax and VHS. Betamax provided superior sound and film high quality, whereas VHS was cheaper and extra broadly supported by manufactures. In the long run, VHS gained out and it seems electrical autos will do the identical.

Nonetheless, that’s to not knock the Mirai’s powertrain because it’s a powerful engineering achievement. The mannequin options three carbon-fiber bolstered hydrogen storage tanks, which feed a gasoline cell that causes a chemical response when hydrogen is mixed with oxygen from the air. This response creates electrical energy with water being the one emission.

The electrical energy is distributed to a 1.24 kWh lithium-ion battery, which powers a rear-mounted electrical motor that develops 182 hp (134 kW / 185 PS) and 221 lb-ft (300 Nm) of torque. Whereas the battery is tiny in comparison with these utilized in conventional electrical autos, it’s not a difficulty because the gasoline cell can at all times create extra energy if wanted.

Gas cells are clearly extra sophisticated than that, however the essential factor is that the Mirai’s powertrain works flawlessly and doesn’t make itself identified. Nonetheless, it’s not precisely silent as you possibly can hear the automotive’s electrical air compressor when exterior.

Placing the high-tech wizardry apart, the driving expertise is typical of a luxurious sedan. Nonetheless, there’s an enormous caveat and that’s the lackluster electrical motor. Whereas the Mirai is lighter than many electrical autos because it weighs 4,255 – 4,335 lbs (1,930 – 1,966 kg), all that mass is being moved by a single 182 hp (134 kW / 185 PS) motor. That’s a tall order and the car’s efficiency takes a serious hit. 60 mph (96 km/h) is available in a leisurely 9.2 seconds, which is 3.3 seconds longer than the equally sized and barely dearer BMW 530i.

A Comfortable, Rear-Wheel Drive Cruiser

The Mirai rides on the GA-L platform, which is shared with the Lexus LS and Japanese Toyota Crown. It’s an exquisite structure that feels stable and is unsurprisingly geared in direction of consolation. The multilink suspension simply soaks up minor street imperfections and permits for a trip high quality that feels nothing in need of luxurious. Nonetheless, it by no means comes throughout as overly mushy regardless of the concentrate on consolation.

The excellent news doesn’t finish there as the electrical energy steering system is responsive and properly weighted. That’s a nice shock and the steering could be adjusted by switching between Eco, Regular and Sport modes.

One other plus is the Mirai’s dealing with because the automotive is extra nimble than it seems to be. Whereas we didn’t get to check the mannequin to extremes, it feels succesful in corners and is pretty maneuverable at low speeds. The sedan additionally sports activities Energetic Cornering Help, which makes use of the steadiness management system to assist scale back understeer in sure conditions.

A Hen And Egg Drawback

Whereas the Mirai is undeniably fascinating, it’s usefulness is restricted by an absence of hydrogen refueling stations.

The U.S. Division of Vitality’s map of hydrogen refueling stations reveals the gravity of the scenario because it’s clean apart from the state of California. Provided that, it’s no shock Mirai gross sales are restricted to the Golden State.

Throughout a presentation in November, Toyota famous 47 hydrogen refueling stations are already open and one other 120 are beneath growth. That’s progress, nevertheless it’s a drop within the bucket when you think about there are greater than 150,000 fuel stations in the US.

After all, hydrogen refueling stations are a tricky promote. It’s a rooster and egg drawback as hydrogen refueling stations don’t make sense with out hydrogen-powered autos, and hydrogen-powered autos don’t make sense with out hydrogen refueling stations. That being stated, there may be rising curiosity in gasoline cell semis they usually might assist to increase hydrogen infrastructure in the US.

Whereas the shortage of hydrogen refueling stations stays a critical subject, Mirai homeowners don’t have to fret about paying for gasoline as anybody who purchases or leases the sedan will rise up to $15,000 price of hydrogen free of charge.

The Mirai Isn’t Simply A Automobile, It’s A Glimpse At What Is Doable

As a automotive, the Mirai is hit and miss. It seems to be good, encompasses a pretty upscale inside, and has a snug trip high quality. Nonetheless, the again seats are small, energy is just satisfactory, and pricing begins at $49,500 earlier than factoring in incentives and a $1,025 vacation spot cost.

After all, the Mirai isn’t your typical sedan because it’s extra like a drivable imaginative and prescient of the longer term. Regardless of that, it by no means seems like a half-baked prototype as it’s a respectable luxurious automotive that reveals the potential of gasoline cells. Sadly, it additionally helps to focus on their drawbacks as, similar to America’s hydrogen refueling infrastructure, it’s restricted to California.

Hopefully this can change sooner or later, however the automotive business has clearly embraced battery electrical autos. That being stated, a handful of firms are nonetheless dedicated to hydrogen and that ought to be a aid for anybody who doesn’t wish to wait round for batteries to cost.

Image credit: Michael Gauthier for CarScoops