Toyota launches the fuel cell vehicle Mirai, which will go on sale in Japan on December 15

    Toyota released the new hydrogen fuel cell car "Mirai" in Tokyo at 10:00 am Japan Standard Time. As Toyota's first mass-produced hydrogen fuel cell model, it has attracted much attention since the concept car was released. At today's press conference, Toyota executives said that official sales in Japan will start on December 15, and consumers can order it through the two dealers "Toyota" and "Toyopet".

Toyota's hydrogen fuel cell car Mirai

    The launch of Mirai marks the beginning of a new revolution in the traditional automobile industry. Hydrogen is used instead of fuel to generate electricity, and the byproducts are only hydrogen oxidation and water produced by the reaction, but the performance and range of the whole vehicle have made a qualitative leap, which is unattainable by traditional gasoline vehicles and most current electric vehicles. 

Toyota Mirai hydrogen refueling process

    According to Toyota's sales plan, Mirai will be officially launched in Japan on December 15, 2014, with Toyota and Toyopet as the only sales channels. By the end of next year, it is expected to sell 400 units, with a suggested retail price of 7,236,000 yen (about RMB 380,000, including consumption tax). This mass-produced hydrogen fuel cell vehicle is produced and assembled by Toyota's Motomachi plant. 

Power Details

    From the information previously released, Mirai uses Toyota Fuel Cell System (TFCS), which is special in that it deeply integrates fuel cells and hybrid technology. Compared with traditional internal combustion engines, its power efficiency has not only been significantly improved, but also does not emit harmful gases such as CO2 and nitrogen oxides. According to Toyota's official data, in reference to the Japanese JC08 fuel mode test, Mirai's cruising range has reached 650 kilometers, and it only takes about 3 minutes to complete a single hydrogen refueling. Toyota Fuel Cell System (TFCS) includes Toyota's independently developed Toyota fuel cell group, fuel cell boost chopper circuit (FC boost converter) and high-pressure hydrogen storage tank. 

Toyota Mirai's fuel cell system

    First of all, Toyota's new fuel cell group has a maximum output power of 114 kilowatts and a power output density of 3.1 kilowatts per liter, which is 2.2 times higher than the FCHV-adv fuel cell vehicle previously announced by Toyota in limited quantities. In addition, the water content in the fuel cell electrolyte will also have a significant impact on the power generation efficiency, so the excess water generated during the power generation process is discharged through the internal circulation system to ensure the efficient operation of the fuel cell group. At the same time, compared with the traditional Toyota fuel cell concept car, it also adds the use of a humidifier.

Toyota Mirai high-pressure hydrogen storage tank cross-section

    Secondly, due to the use of a three-layer structure of carbon fiber reinforced plastic, Mirai's hydrogen tank can withstand a high pressure of 70 MPa. Compared with Toyota FCHV-adv, its hydrogen storage capacity has increased by nearly 20%, while its weight and volume have been greatly reduced, achieving a weight percentage of 5.7. 

    Finally, Mirai is equipped with an AC synchronous generator with a maximum output power of 113 kilowatts and a peak torque of 335 Nm, and uses nickel-metal hydride batteries commonly used in hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. 

Toyota Mirai powertrain

Design

    From the appearance, the length, width and height of Mirai are 4890/1815/1535mm respectively, and the wheelbase is 2780mm. In addition, this fuel cell car deliberately hides the A, B and C pillars, and the design is quite futuristic. At the same time, the rear design is fashionable and avant-garde, and the layout of the taillights echoes the front design. Due to the use of carving technology, Mirai's 17-inch aluminum wheels are lighter, stronger and more durable. 

    The officially launched Mirai has a total of six body paint schemes for consumers to choose from, including the newly added two-tone pure metallic blue.

Interior Design

    From the interior of Mirai, the front and rear layouts fit well and the space is very expandable. In addition to creating a well-designed cabin atmosphere, the soft padding and smooth surface of the door interior panels make the cabin interweave with countless silver lights, and the lighting effect is very good. The front seats can meet the needs of users of different heights and body shapes, and the eight different seat adjustment modes ensure that the driver and the front passenger can maintain a comfortable sitting posture without affecting the normal movement of the waist.

Toyota Mirai center console

    Mirai's instrument display is located at the top of the center console, including the traditional speedometer and a 4.2-inch high-resolution TFT LCD multimedia display. The corresponding car functions can be controlled through the control buttons installed on the steering wheel, and the information of the function will pop up on the screen.

Toyota Mirai central control area

security function

    The upgraded Toyota car networking application T-Connect also appears on this hydrogen fuel cell vehicle. Mirai is equipped with Toyota T-Connect data communication module (DCM) to ensure that users can enjoy a safe and comfortable travel experience. Through the navigation system, T-Connect can automatically search for nearby hydrogen refueling stations; and Pocket Mirai, as a portable mobile client, users can obtain current hydrogen fuel usage information, expected mileage and other content; of course, the system's built-in fuel cell remote control function will automatically alarm when the battery pack fails, and send prompt information through the navigation screen to remind the driver to deal with it in time to ensure driving safety. 

    It is worth mentioning that Mirai, like Honda's fuel cell FCV concept car announced yesterday, allows users to transfer electricity through an external feeder. The power supply system configured in Mirai can store up to 60 kWh of electricity, and the maximum power output is 9 kW. For countries like Japan, where earthquakes are frequent, such a "small power station" can play a vital role in an emergency. 

Toyota Mirai external DC power socket

Toyota Mirai external DC power socket

    Users can use a separately purchased power supply device to connect Mirai, and the CHAdeMO power supply standard interface located in the trunk of the car body can convert the direct current inside Mirai into alternating current output. In addition to being used for home and road systems, general consumer electronics such as laptops and mobile phones can also be directly charged using the built-in adapter socket (AC 100V, 1500W).

summary: 

    Overall, the Mirai, which will be launched in Japan soon, is remarkable as Toyota's first mass-produced hydrogen fuel cell vehicle. Compared with traditional gasoline/diesel vehicles and other new energy vehicles represented by pure electric vehicles, fuel cell vehicles have completely achieved zero emissions and zero pollution, and will not make consumers feel any "mileage anxiety". Compared with the FCV concept car released by Honda yesterday, the Mirai has a more domineering appearance, exquisite and smooth interior with a futuristic feel, and the streamlined center console and irregularly shaped center console display make this fuel cell vehicle stand out. However, considering its high price of more than 7.2 million yen and the current shortage of hydrogen refueling stations, I am afraid that conservative consumers will not spend a lot of money to try it out. It is reported that Mirai will land in Europe and the United States next summer, and is expected to be introduced to mainland China in the future.