The current Toyota Mirai might not be setting sales numbers ablaze, but that won’t stop Toyota from keeping its fuel cell ambitions alive with a second-generation Mirai. Slated for a public reveal at the Tokyo Motor Show, Toyota teased its shape and a few features at a private event in North Carolina.
While Toyota was tight-lipped on the specifics, the company’s engineers did say that the second-gen Mirai should net you 30 percent more range than the outgoing model. Considering the current Mirai will get you about 300 miles on a tank of hydrogen, that means you could expect to travel about 400 miles now.
The increased range comes from a second-generation hydrogen fuel cell powertrain. Toyota didn't mention too many specifics about the powertrain but said that more hydrogen capacity and more efficient fuel cell technology are responsible for the added range. There will also be a more powerful electric motor, but, again, we're going to have to wait for the numbers.
Toyota also mentioned the next-gen Mirai will be built on a rear-wheel-drive platform. As you might expect, this is a borrowed platform from another Toyota product in the Lexus portfolio. This is to help the car have more engaging driving dynamics and an upmarket appeal. The new platform also helped with the Mirai’s looks, making it longer, lower and wider than the outgoing model.
The styling is also more subdued than the current Mirai and looks more like a traditional sedan than a statement-making fuel cell vehicle. The cleaner styling flows into the car’s interior, too, with an interior that looks borrowed from a Lexus instead of a spaceship. Toyota was quiet on creature comforts but did mention that there will be a standard 12.3-inch touchscreen media system and a 14-speaker JBL audio system.
There’s no word on price yet, but you can expect it’ll cost more than the current car's $58,500 sticker. Before you balk at that price, note that Toyota leases almost all Mirais, making the monthly payment much more palatable. Though, if you live outside of California or Hawaii, you still won’t be able to grab one. Of course, that will change as more states jump on the hydrogen bandwagon. Regardless of where you live, it'll be near the end of 2020 before you see one running around your neighborhood.
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