Toyota Mirai – The Future is Here

Did you get an invitation to this event in California?

Last weekend (6 August), I participated in Toyota’s Turning Point event, promoting the new hydrogen fuel cell car, the Mirai. (Mirai means “future” in Japanese.)

Hydrogen is an interesting fuel because the exhaust is water.

I took a test drive, and wanted to test the "Power Mode." I drive my 2010 Prius in this mode all the time, and I am getting 55 MPG. The acceleration is good, I feel much safer with torque, especially when entering freeway on-ramps. And occasionally surprising other drivers at stop lights.

But I was disappointed with the Mirai's acceleration in Power Mode. My Prius is quicker. I wonder if this could be "fixed" with a chip change, or would it have to be a mechanical change in the transaxle/transmission? 

Here are some photos I took while at the event.

For California drivers, there are many incentives to lease or buy the new car. One of the most interesting is the “Rental Experience” – For three years, Toyota will pay for a non-Mirai rental vehicle for seven days. This is for an extended road trip that may not be possible to make because of a lack of fuel stops.

More information on the Mirai can be found here: https://ssl.toyota.com/mirai/

Look for a Turning Point event in your area: http://www.turningpointtour.com/Event

Hostess and presenter Allison explaining the Type 4 hydrogen tanks used in the new Mirai.

Interesting interactive model on display.

Donovan, the Toyota Mirai driving host. 

Hydrogen fuel dispenser display and demo. Fuel is supplied at 5,000 psi or 10,000 psi depending on the dispenser. Higher pressures enable more fuel pumped into the vehicle tanks.

The hydrogen nozzle. It looks similar to CNG nozzle.

Fuel filler door and fill receptacle on the Mirai is on the driver's side rear of the vehicle.

The demo fleet of three on display.

A front view of the Toyota Mirai.

A rear view of the Mirai. I am so glad it does not look like the new Prius rear end.