TOYOTA has adopted within the footsteps of the pioneering Hyundai Nexo by introducing an prolonged demonstration program for its all-new hydrogen-powered Mirai fuel-cell electrical car (FCEV).
Whereas simply 20 examples can be made obtainable to “organisations and companies” in and round Melbourne solely, Toyota could also be open to prolonged contracts after the top of the lease interval on a case-by-case state of affairs.
The value is $1750 monthly over three years, taking the value to $63,000 over the 36-month timeframe, not together with a compulsory one-off $2693 servicing payment. There’s additionally a mileage cap of 60,000km.
With Hyundai declining to reveal what the Nexo’s month-to-month prices are, it’s thought that the Mirai prices considerably much less monthly to lease.
The 20 organisations and companies taking over the brand new Mirai will have the ability to refuel at Victoria’s first everlasting hydrogen manufacturing and refuelling facility at Toyota’s Centre of Excellence facility in Altona.
This constraint means events outdoors of Melbourne must wait till extra hydrogen infrastructure arrives nationally.
That is additionally in distinction to the ten examples of the first-generation Mirai that underwent testing in and across the metropolis as a part of a small-scale trial program initiated in 2018; assessed by native council and utility firms, these wanted to be refuelled through a cell hydrogen truck.
The second-gen, JPD20-series Mirai was solely not too long ago launched in its Japanese house market, with a protracted and coupe-like four-door sedan silhouette providing seating for 5. This form was chosen for its aerodynamics, with a drag co-efficient of 0.29Cd.
Measuring in at slightly below 5 metres lengthy (4975mm), 1885mm broad, 1470mm excessive and with a wheelbase of 2920mm, the hydrogen-powered Toyota is roughly the identical dimensions because the Kia Stinger – which can be rear-wheel drive – and provides 160mm of floor clearance. Suspension is through a multi-link set-up entrance and rear and braking is through discs all spherical. 235/55R19 tyres are fitted.
Underneath the bonnet is a gasoline cell powertrain that includes a 128kW 330-cell gasoline cell stack, which pulls in purified air and combines it with hydrogen in a chemical response to create electrical energy, with water vapour being the one emission.
That electrical energy is fed into both a lithium-ion battery mounted behind the rear seat, or on to an built-in electrical motor housed in a rear transaxle combining the motor, transmission and differential in what Toyota calls “a light-weight, compact, built-in unit”.
Tipping the scales at round 1900kg, the ensuing energy and torque outputs are 134kW and 300Nm respectively. The hydrogen is saved in three carbon-fibre strengthened plastic (CFRP) tanks which have a mixed capability of 5.6kg, giving the Mirai a variety of roughly 650km.
On the security entrance the Mirai ushers in a complicated pre-collision system with day/evening pedestrian and day bike owner detection, emergency steering help, lane hint help, lane departure alert, intersection flip help, restricted highway signal help, auto excessive beam, blind spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert and adaptive cruise management, amongst different driver-assist applied sciences. There are additionally seven airbags, a surround-view monitor and parking brake assist.
The inside consists of an 8.0-inch digital instrument cluster incorporating a 4.2-inch data show, whereas a 12.3-inch touchscreen is located above the centre console, and options what Toyota claims is the latest-generation multimedia system with the same old satellite tv for pc navigation, Bluetooth connectivity and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility.
On condition that premium positioning, a high-end audio system can be included, together with dual-zone local weather management, keyless entry/begin, “refined” pleather upholstery and powered entrance seats.
The boot, in the meantime, is simply 272 litres in capability – blame the hydrogen gubbins – and that’s roundly overwhelmed by the 470L discovered within the Corolla sedan.
In response to Toyota Australia vice-president of gross sales, advertising Sean Hanley, the Mirai is the start of a brand new period for the model in Australia, because it strives for a zero-emissions future.
“Once we launched the Prius hybrid 20 years in the past, we began a drive in direction of serving to cut back emissions from our autos via a technique of electrification,” he mentioned.
“At the moment, we provide hybrid powertrains in seven car strains and we have now bought greater than 200,000 Toyota hybrids over the previous 20 years.
“With the introduction of the zero-emission Mirai FCEV and its use by pioneering organisations, Toyota is constant that journey as we purpose to realize zero emissions from our autos by 2050 underneath the worldwide Toyota Environmental Problem 2050.”
