Let's get acquainted with the future.
What we mean, actually, is for you guys to get familiar with the 'Mirai', which actually means 'future' in the Japanese language. Based on the Toyota FCV (Fuel Cell Vehicle) concept car, which was showcased at the 2013 Tokyo Motor Show, the Mirai isn't the first FCV by the carmaker. Toyota has been developing fuel cell technology since 1992 and it was several years later when the Japanese carmaker paraded a fuel cell-powered RAV4.
Fast forward over two decades later and the idea of having an environmentally-friendly vehicle becomes a reality. Having a fuel cell stack located under the front seats while sporting two hydrogen tanks with a three-layer structure made of Carbon Fibre Reinforced Plastic (CFRP) and other materials under the rear seats, the Mirai was unveiled to the world at the 2014 Los Angeles Auto Show.
The Mirai, like a hybrid vehicle, stores energy in its nickel metal hydride battery to supplement power to the electric motor. However, the key difference lies in the way power is sent to the wheels. The fuel cell stack in the car generates electricity through a reaction between hydrogen and oxygen, which is directed to an electric motor that will essentially drive the front wheels of the Mirai.
The end result is simply emitting water instead of harmful gases like carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide and carbon dioxide.
Exterior
On first glance, it's easy to mistake the Mirai for the FCV concept car. It looks futuristic, especially from the front where large frontal grilles on both sides are evident. With an aim towards function, these grilles help draw in oxygen as well as assist in cooling the fuel cell system.
What we mean, actually, is for you guys to get familiar with the 'Mirai', which actually means 'future' in the Japanese language. Based on the Toyota FCV (Fuel Cell Vehicle) concept car, which was showcased at the 2013 Tokyo Motor Show, the Mirai isn't the first FCV by the carmaker. Toyota has been developing fuel cell technology since 1992 and it was several years later when the Japanese carmaker paraded a fuel cell-powered RAV4.
Fast forward over two decades later and the idea of having an environmentally-friendly vehicle becomes a reality. Having a fuel cell stack located under the front seats while sporting two hydrogen tanks with a three-layer structure made of Carbon Fibre Reinforced Plastic (CFRP) and other materials under the rear seats, the Mirai was unveiled to the world at the 2014 Los Angeles Auto Show.
The Mirai, like a hybrid vehicle, stores energy in its nickel metal hydride battery to supplement power to the electric motor. However, the key difference lies in the way power is sent to the wheels. The fuel cell stack in the car generates electricity through a reaction between hydrogen and oxygen, which is directed to an electric motor that will essentially drive the front wheels of the Mirai.
The end result is simply emitting water instead of harmful gases like carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide and carbon dioxide.
Exterior
On first glance, it's easy to mistake the Mirai for the FCV concept car. It looks futuristic, especially from the front where large frontal grilles on both sides are evident. With an aim towards function, these grilles help draw in oxygen as well as assist in cooling the fuel cell system.
Together with long slim headlamps with an in-line arrangement of four LED lights, the Mirai looks nothing like a production-ready car.
At 4,890mm long, 1,815mm wide and 1,535mm tall, the car is closer to the size of the Toyota Camry, only taller. But clever design techniques such as merging black plastics in between panels seemingly allow the car to portray itself as shorter than what it really is.
To the uninitiated, the Mirai can be a rather mysterious car. While all Toyota hybrids get the marque's blue badge to represent its eco-friendly disposition, it's always nice to know that this isn't a hybrid you're piloting, even if it gets the same coloured badge. Of course, it isn't until the casual observer beside you sees the 'Fuel Cell' moniker on the sides of the car that he'll realise what this car truly is…
Interior
While the sheet metal may not be to everyone's taste buds, there's no denying the high-quality interior. From the dashboard and the electric seats to the steering wheel and the door panels, the cabin is filled with soft-touch materials and leather upholstery. It's almost as if Toyota has built a high-tech luxurious Crown.
Fit and finish is something you can expect from Toyota - consistent and dependable - which makes you feel like the car will easily outlast its 10-year COE lifespan if it ever makes it to Singapore.
While the sheet metal may not be to everyone's taste buds, there's no denying the high-quality interior. From the dashboard and the electric seats to the steering wheel and the door panels, the cabin is filled with soft-touch materials and leather upholstery. It's almost as if Toyota has built a high-tech luxurious Crown.
Fit and finish is something you can expect from Toyota - consistent and dependable - which makes you feel like the car will easily outlast its 10-year COE lifespan if it ever makes it to Singapore.
Taking centre stage is the spring-loaded transmission lever that sits on a highly expressive piano black touch-sensitive system where most controls and gauges are located. Above this is where the main 4.2-inch infotainment display is located.
While the Mirai is only capable of carrying four adults, instead of five, rear occupants will be able to soak in comfort with ample head, shoulder and legroom. Also spacious is the 361-litre boot space, which according to Mr. Yoshikazu Tanaka, the Mirai's Chief Engineer, will swallow up to three golf bags with ease.
While the Mirai is only capable of carrying four adults, instead of five, rear occupants will be able to soak in comfort with ample head, shoulder and legroom. Also spacious is the 361-litre boot space, which according to Mr. Yoshikazu Tanaka, the Mirai's Chief Engineer, will swallow up to three golf bags with ease.
The Drive
Despite the complexity of the technology the car carries with it, the Toyota Mirai is easy to drive. You get in, press the start button, put the gear lever into 'D' mode and you're ready to rock and roll. There is nothing tedious about the car, but neither is there anything tenacious about it.
What it is, though, is that it's free of unnecessary drama, with nothing to tell you the car has fired up except tell-tale signs from the tachometer. As a result, like any electric vehicle, the futuristic car is impressively quiet even at high-speeds, keeping wind and road noise at bay. The only noise you'll be hearing is the mild synthetic whine every time you put pedal to the metal.
Despite carrying that much technology with it and tipping the scales at over 1.8 tonnes, the Mirai's century sprint timing does feel much faster than what the 9.6 seconds on paper would suggest before it maxes out at its 180km/h top speed.
With the full-on 152bhp and 335Nm of torque on tap sent to the front wheels via the electric motor, acceleration is instantaneous and smooth off the line, made possible by the single-speed transmission, which will make this a suitable car to drive around town.
Despite the complexity of the technology the car carries with it, the Toyota Mirai is easy to drive. You get in, press the start button, put the gear lever into 'D' mode and you're ready to rock and roll. There is nothing tedious about the car, but neither is there anything tenacious about it.
What it is, though, is that it's free of unnecessary drama, with nothing to tell you the car has fired up except tell-tale signs from the tachometer. As a result, like any electric vehicle, the futuristic car is impressively quiet even at high-speeds, keeping wind and road noise at bay. The only noise you'll be hearing is the mild synthetic whine every time you put pedal to the metal.
Despite carrying that much technology with it and tipping the scales at over 1.8 tonnes, the Mirai's century sprint timing does feel much faster than what the 9.6 seconds on paper would suggest before it maxes out at its 180km/h top speed.
With the full-on 152bhp and 335Nm of torque on tap sent to the front wheels via the electric motor, acceleration is instantaneous and smooth off the line, made possible by the single-speed transmission, which will make this a suitable car to drive around town.
Still, around Fuji Speedway where we pushed the Mirai to its limits, the car is simply more magical than maniacal. Thanks to the location of the fuel cell stack and the hydrogen tanks, the car has the unblemished capability of carving corners in a very tight and tidy manner.
It is, however, lacking a talkative steering, which takes away the confidence needed to tackle sharper bends at the race track.
Conclusion
The biggest setback for the Toyota Mirai is having the lack of infrastructure, especially in Singapore. While it's still unknown whether the car will make it to our shores or what the cost of the car will be, there is no doubting that this is one production-ready vehicle that will change the dynamics of the automotive industry if it successfully penetrates into the market and the minds of buyers.
In other words, this is the future. Let's get acquainted with it.
It is, however, lacking a talkative steering, which takes away the confidence needed to tackle sharper bends at the race track.
Conclusion
The biggest setback for the Toyota Mirai is having the lack of infrastructure, especially in Singapore. While it's still unknown whether the car will make it to our shores or what the cost of the car will be, there is no doubting that this is one production-ready vehicle that will change the dynamics of the automotive industry if it successfully penetrates into the market and the minds of buyers.
In other words, this is the future. Let's get acquainted with it.
