Hydrogen-fuelled sedan to enter its second generation late next year with new body and platform.
Hey, it isn’t that gawky in appearance like before…
Ignore the concept label: this is how Toyota’s all-new Mirai will look like in showrooms late next year before making its first public appearance in Tokyo later this month.
And yes, the second-generation Mirai has sleeker looks and a more dynamic stance than ever thanks to a longer, wider and lower body. The wheelbase itself has grown from 2,780mm to 2,920mm.
The Mirai is based on the GA-N platform for rear-drive cars like the Toyota Crown (the Lexus LS sits on the longer GA-L floorplan). As a result, Toyota is promising better driving dynamics than the outgoing, front-drive model.
The cabin looks very upmarket…
To suit its hi-tech status, Toyota found it suitable to trim the cabin with premium materials ever since the first generation.
It continues here, now emphasised with some copper-like tones. The driving cockpit has been upgraded with a digital instrument panel and 12.3in infotainment screen.
Unlike the four-seat matrix in the previous Mirai, the new model has a rear bench that can seat three persons effectively taking five in all.
Any technical improvements in the fuel-cell drivetrain?
As this is still billed as a concept, Toyota hasn’t released the full technical details of the hydrogen-powered fuel-cell drivetrain.
The maker only says that there’s increased hydrogen storage to extend the range by 30%. The rating of the previous Mirai is around 500km.
Major markets for the Mirai include Japan, North Europe and North America. Toyota says around 10,000 Mirais have been sold globally at prices of German executive sedans (around 4 million baht in Thailand) and going up against similarly powered models from Honda and Hyundai.
While Thailand is trying to promote battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) in Thailand, there’s still no concrete effort in touting fuel-cell electric vehicles (FCEVs). Apart from its almost non-existent presence on Thai roads, FCEVs require a dedicated infrastructure for filling up.
