It’s an ecological fantasy about as outdated as the auto: Drive as a lot as you need, however spew nothing however pure H2O out the tailpipe. Although hydrogen vehicles can appear splendid in concept, the first-gen Toyota Mirai confronted monumental hurdles when it launched in 2015. Hydrogen’s infamously skimpy refueling infrastructure was the largest, however there was additionally the four-person cabin, the formidable MSRP of $58,550 and styling that made it appear to be the spawn of a Prius and Voltron.
The mere existence of a 2021 Toyota Mirai due to this fact defies the chances, however for its second era, Toyota’s underdog eco machine has been re-imagined in just about each approach. The drivetrain migrates from entrance to rear-drive, enabled by a transfer to a downsized model of the GA-L platform discovered the Lexus LS sedan. The decrease, wider underpinnings yield an ideal 50/50 weight distribution, improved over the primary automobile’s 58/41 determine. The chassis additionally lends it a sleeker profile, with the mushed-up entrance and rear ends turning into changed with a extra Camry-like nostril and a much more palatable tail that appears like a finances tackle an Audi A7. The Mirai now seats 5 and a brand new XLE trim stage shaves $9,050 from the MSRP; the Restricted trim is available in at $66,000, or $7,450 over the first-gen mannequin. As earlier than, Toyota covers as much as $15,000 of hydrogen fill-ups for 3 years, in addition to 21 days of automobile leases ought to it’s worthwhile to enterprise past your hydrogen-fueled bubble. There’s additionally a $4,500 rebate from the state of California and a $8,000 federal tax credit score that was not too long ago re-upped as a part of the current financial stimulus invoice.
Earlier than delving into what makes this Mirai’s powertrain new-and-improved, we should always most likely reacquaint you with the fundamentals of a hydrogen gasoline cell automobile. Relatively than a gasoline engine, there is a stack of gasoline cells the place hydrogen and oxygen are chemically mixed to create electrical energy. Extra power is saved in a battery pack. Collectively, the pack and gasoline cells energy an electrical motor and produce nothing however water as a byproduct.
With Mirai 101 out of the way in which, enhancements to the gasoline cell stack for 2021 embody a 50% discount in weight and, vitally, a 20% discount in measurement that enables the stack to be positioned below the hood. It was below the entrance seats within the outdated automobile, which resulted in an oddly tall seating place. Output of the now rear-mounted electrical motor improves for 2021 with 182 horsepower and 221 pound-feet, up from 151 hp and 247 lb-ft.
The battery pack additionally will get an improve, going from nickel metal-hydride to lithium-ion. Eleven kilos of hydrogen are saved in three carbon fiber tanks at 10,000 psi, and require round 5 minutes to refuel. The brand new Mirai affords a spread of 402 miles (with XLE trim), a 30% enchancment over the prior mannequin; the Restricted mannequin claims 65 MPGe mixed, or 74 MPGe for the XLE model.
Stroll across the new Mirai, and also you’ll see exterior styling that’s markedly simpler on the eyes than the first-gen mannequin. It nonetheless might not win your native automobile concours, however a minimum of the Mirai acquires a way of favor that’s flowing and harmonious, not clunky and jarring like earlier than. The cabin additionally feels sleeker and extra spacious, with extra easily contoured surfaces and the identical wraparound design you’ll discover in Toyota’s GR Supra. Delicate contact artificial leather-based abounds, and there’s a prevailing sense of Toyotaness to the entire inside, which feels stable and pleasantly appointed, with a palpable sense of conservative effectivity. All fashions get an 8-inch TFT cluster and a 12.3-inch multimedia touchscreen. Whereas the display screen is attractively giant, the menu programs really feel considerably dated in comparison with among the programs from different carmakers.
Slide behind the wheel, and Mirai feels as intuitive to drive as any EV: There’s a joystick-like shifter, a button-laden steering wheel, and two rows of easy HVAC buttons on the middle stack. Drive modes embody Eco, Regular, and Sport, and in probably the most aggressive setting, acceleration stays linear and clean, providing simply sufficient thrust for merging and most day-to-day maneuvers.
Toyota doesn’t publish 0 to 60 mph acceleration figures, however it oddly reveals the Mirai can scoot from 25 to 45 mph in 2.8 seconds. It’s honest to say the inertia from a standstill and the tapering of energy at larger speeds signifies that explicit vary is the candy spot within the Mirai’s powerband. There’s additionally ample cornering capability over metropolis roads and improved dealing with due to the multilink suspension, which replaces the outdated strut/beam axle setup. Nevertheless, the 4,255 pound curb weight can maintain it from feeling fully like a thoroughbred on mountain roads like Southern California’s Ortega Freeway, the place we slalomed the brand new Mirai earlier than returning up the closely traveled 405 interstate. Easy, quiet and remoted on the freeway, the Mirai proves its final strengths in commute-style driving situations. Although not exceptionally posh, it feels polished and insulated sufficient to make it a automobile you wouldn’t thoughts piling the miles on.
And therein lies the nice irony of Toyota’s sophomore hydrogen effort: whereas it really works effectively below these circumstances, these driving routes are restricted by the truth that the 2021 Mirai will likely be first out there solely in California, the place a mere 43 hydrogen fueling stations exist. Toyota says they’re working with native organizations to extend fueling stations, estimating 21 extra in California over the subsequent 12 to 18 months.
Toyota senior engineer Jackie Birdsall laments that whereas California put $400 million into constructing out various gasoline infrastructure final yr, solely 10% of that quantity went to hydrogen; the rest went in the direction of EV battery charging stations. Toyota additionally says it bought about 6,500 previous-gen Mirais in California — a rounding error for the behemoth producer that spends $1 million per hour on world product R&D. Nevertheless, the actual fact that Toyota is so deep-pocketed solutions how the Mirai is even potential: the corporate has the luxurious of spending cash to considerably enhance such a distinct segment automobile and proceed to develop hydrogen gasoline cell expertise.
The 2021 Toyota Mirai is a big automotive accomplishment; having 402 miles of vary, zero emissions, a civilized inside and styling that will not frighten kids make it extra compelling than ever. However the backside line persists: with so many wonderful EVs and hybrids available on the market, a hydrogen-powered automobile requires an uncommon quantity of dedication and a California residence tackle near a kind of 43 stations. It is definitely not for all, however there is no denying the Mirai supplies a novel and environmentally clear approach of getting from A to B should you’re keen to take the leap.
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