Living in California and having access to a hydrogen fuel station is all you need to drive the luxury sedan of the future. The 2024 Mirai is a large, comfortable rear-drive sedan that uses a hydrogen fuel cell and electric motor as its power plant. Like gasoline, hydrogen can be refilled in a matter of minutes rather than hours and can be filled to 100% rather than 80%, as is the norm for most EVs at public charge stations. That gives the Mirai an operating range of up to 402 miles. Valley Hi Toyota offers this brief rundown on the Hydrogen-powered Mirai.
Electric Power, Hydrogen Energy Storage
The best way to think about the Mirai is that it is an electric car storing energy as hydrogen rather than a battery. Just as electrolysis breaks water into hydrogen and oxygen, a fuel cell does the opposite, combining hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity, with the only emission being water vapor. The electricity powers a motor connected to the rear wheels. Electricity overflow and power from regenerative braking is stored in a lithium-ion battery to use as needed.
Thus, the Mirai benefits from the smooth, quiet, and high torque characteristics of an EV. Yet when refueling, compressed hydrogen moves much faster than electrons, so the car is fully refueled in a matter of minutes. Toyota sweetens the deal by providing up to $15,000 of complementary hydrogen upon purchase or lease.
Lexus Platform
Outside its unique drivetrain, the Mirai is a large, comfortable, luxurious sedan. It shares its GA-L rear-drive platform with the Lexus LS and LC models. The exterior is long and smooth with a 0.29 drag coefficient thanks to its overall shape and plenty of aerodynamic enhancing details, such as windshield wipers that retract to a lower position when not in use. The car has a near 50:50 weight distribution and a low center of gravity. LED lighting is all around, including auto-leveling LED headlights and projected LED “puddle lights” that light the ground by the car upon your approach.
Plenty of Comfort
Inside, the Mirai is every bit the high-tech luxury sedan with a standard 12.3-inch digital driver’s display and a second 12.3-inch center screen resting on an elegantly sweeping dash design. Wireless charging is standard, with one USB media port and three USB type C charging ports. The Mirai XLE grade features heated SoftTex®– trimmed front seats with 8-way power adjustability for the driver and 4-way power adjustability for the front passenger. The Limited has perforated SoftTex®-trimmed front seats that are both heated and ventilated and adds 8-way power adjustability for the front passenger. Rear passengers get touch-sensitive controls for the climate system and the shade panel for the panorama sunroof. The Limited adds manual shades for the rear window and rear door windows.
Every Mirai has the latest in Toyota connectivity, including wireless smartphone compatibility and a one-month trial for Wifi-Connect that turns the Mirai into a hotspot for up to five different devices. Available audio sources include HD Radio®, USB data, and a SiriusXM® 3-month trial subscription. For 2024, the Mirai has the latest Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 suite of safety and driver assist features.
Hydrogen-Powered Perks
Besides the $15,000 of free hydrogen, there are several additional Mirai owner benefits, including:
- Extended ToyotaCare for three years or 35,000 miles (whichever comes first)
- Safety Connect Enhanced Roadside Assistance for up to 10 years, including expedited towing service and trip interruption reimbursement
- Dedicated Mirai 24/7 phone support for three years
- Complementary hydrogen fuel of $15,000, or up to three years for new Mirai leases or up to six years for new Mirai purchases (whichever comes first)
- Eight-year/100,000-mile FCEV warranty on key fuel cell electric vehicle components
- Ten-year/150,000-mile hybrid battery warranty on key hybrid components
- Complimentary rental experience for up to 21 days during the first three years of ownership
- HOV carpool sticker eligibility
The Mirai incorporates cutting-edge technology that isn’t widely available yet. But if you have access to a hydrogen fueling station and desire an emission-free luxurious sedan without recharging, ask one of the Valley Hi Toyota sales professionals about the Mirai.
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