Meet the New Toyota Mirai: A Hydrogen Sedan With a Spruce‑up and a Dash of Fun
On Friday, Toyota Motor Corp rolled out a brand‑new hydrogen‑powered fuel‑cell sedan that looks like it stole a page from the Lexus LS coupe playbook. It’s the next chapter in the automaker’s long‑running tale of hydrogen dreams, and it’s aiming to shake the electric‑vehicle crowd that’s currently dominated by folks like Tesla.
Why a Redesigned Mirai?
Engineers, led by chief designer Yoshikazu Tanaka, wanted a car that doesn’t just sound eco‑friendly—it actually feels like a dream to drive. “We wanted something that’s fun to drive,” Tanaka told the press, nudging the old image of the Mirai from a bloated Prius hybrid into a sleek, sporty sedan that’s long‑wheeled and low‑set.
Key Upgrades
- Built on the Lexus LS coupe platform, giving it a touch of luxury.
- Redesigned fuel‑cell stack and hydrogen tanks for a smoother ride.
- About 30 % longer range than the earlier model—roughly 900 km instead of 700 km.
- Mass‑production knows the cost of hand‑assembly, making the new Mirai cheaper to make.
What This Means for Toyota’s Hydrogen Strategy
By revamping the Mirai, Toyota hopes to breathe new life into hydrogen vehicles, turning them from niche curiosities into mainstream roadsters that people actually want to drive. It’s not just shouting “eco‑car” anymore; it’s saying, “Hey, come see how cool driving can be!”
<img alt="" data-caption="A prototype of Toyota Motor Corp’s second-generation Mirai fuel-cell car is displayed at a media briefing in Tokyo, Japan. PHOTO: Reuters” data-entity-type=”file” data-entity-uuid=”697b4b4b-3ea1-4162-b687-5d85032cc41c” src=”/sites/default/files/inline-images/191014_Mirai_Reuters.jpg”/>
Toyota’s Mirai Gets a Reality Check
Picture this: you’re ready to jump into the future, grab a fuel‑cell car, and feel the ear‑to‑ear buzz of progress. But the price tag (about 5 million yen, roughly USD 63,000 after subsidies) makes you wonder if you’re buying a car or a small spaceship.
Three Contenders in the Fuel‑Cell Arena
- Mirai – Toyota’s sleek sedan that promised to be a game‑changer at launch, but sales have tanked.
- Nexo – Hyundai’s model that’s slicker and maybe a bit more affordable.
- Clarity – Honda’s option that’s largely a lease‑only beast, keeping its owners tethered.
Numbers That’ll Make You Raise an Eyebrow
Less than 10,000 Mirai units have rolled off the line in five years. Meanwhile, Tesla’s Model S shipped out 25,000 battery‑powered sedans in just a year and a half. Talk about odometer bragging rights.
What’s Next for the Mirai?
Toyota remains tight‑lipped about the final retail price. They’re hoping to ship the Mirai to Japan, North America, and Europe starting late next year. The question is: Will the future be worth the price tag, or is it just a shiny, expensive wish‑upon‑a‑star?
