We change pace, not only in terms of wheelbase. The new Toyota Mirai powers the Japanese car’s premium fuel cell sedan share. It is in fact made on the GA-L platform of the Japanese house. Used for example for the Lexus LS flagship. It is clear to us that the new Mirai is anything but a compact car, but a real large sedan.
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New Toyota Mirai: photos
In fact, according to the quotas, it turns out that the overall length has risen to 4,975 mm (+85 mm); the wheelbase instead increased by 140 mm, up to the threshold of 2,920 mm. Only the height has been lowered by 65 mm, to 1,470 mm, so as to make the car profile even more aerodynamic and efficient. While the track has also grown in size (75 mm), and now house 19 and 20 inch wheels. The increase in available quotas then made it possible to have the fuel cell component and the electrical equipment connected to it, in such a way that the weight distribution was perfectly equal: 50:50. The fuel cell component has been placed in the front compartment area, while the (more compact) high voltage battery and electric motor are positioned above the rear axle.
The hydrogen tanks are instead located under the passenger compartment. They are positioned in a “T” formation: the largest is placed in the center in the longitudinal direction, while the smaller ones are positioned transversely under the rear seats and the luggage compartment. They have a total capacity of 5.6 kg of hydrogen, much higher than the 4.6 kg guaranteed by the current two tanks of the previous generation. In fact, thanks also to the improved efficiency of the entire fuel cell complex, the range increased by 30% to around 650 km. The technological heart of Mirai’s fuel cell apparatus, that is, the stack was developed specifically for this platform. It uses a solid polymer like the previous edition and, although it has a lower number of cells (from 370 to 330) it has a higher maximum power, having improved its “energy density”. Having said that, the overall weight has been reduced by almost half. While the system power has risen to 128 kW (182 hp).
Sustainability is not just a technical factor when referring to Japanese, but it also concerns the air that passes through it. That is the one that is sucked in to power the fuel cell system. In fact, a special non-woven fabric filter has been incorporated into the air intake, capable of capturing microscopic particles of pollutants, including sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrous oxide (NOx) and PM 2.5 particulates. The system is effective, as stated, in removing 90 to 100% of particles with a diameter between 0 and 2.5 microns from the air.
Although the Toyota Mirai is a car devoted to the environment, it does not neglect the “driving pleasure” component. So, thanks also to the new platform and the particular arrangement of the elements, he decided to equip himself with a multilink suspension scheme for all four wheels. The changes also concern the use of larger anti-roll bars.
The range of the new Mirai consists of three trim levels: Pure, Essence and Essence +. In Italy the new Mirai will have a turnkey price list starting from 66,000 euros and will be offered with the new KINTO ONE rental formula which provides a monthly fee for the Essence version of 1,200 euros (excluding VAT, 36 months and 45,000 km distance). . It is just a pity that in our country there is no hydrogen refueling network for this kind of cars, with the exception of a distributor in Bolzano.
March 3, 2021 (change March 3, 2021 | 11:55)
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