New Toyota Mirai Hydrogen Fuel Cell car REVEALED

Toyota reveals the next-generation Toyota Mirai Hydrogen Fuel Cell car, with a new look and improved fuel cell system. Debuts at the Toyota Motor Show.

In normal terms, the hydrogen-powered Toyota Mira, which arrived five years ago, has been a real failure, selling in small numbers – around 2.000 a year – and carrying a hefty price tag.

But in comparison to expectations of a new technology seeking early adopters to be a test-bed for technology, it’s been rather a success, selling more than Toyota expected, doing sterling work as a taxi in London and even as a plod-mobile.

But now it’s almost time for a new Mirai, and Toyota has revealed the first look ahead of a debut at the Tokyo Motor Show and an on sale next year.

Now built on Toyota’s latest TNGA Platform, Toyota says the new Mirai is not just more rigid as a result, with improved handling and responsiveness, but has been conceived as a car with looks people just want, not because it’s an FCEV.

The quite dramatic new styling – still a four-door saloon – means a bold new look at the front with a sweeping coupe-like roof at the back, big 20″ alloys and, for this example, a new blue paint job with exceptional brightness.

Toyota has give the Mira a new interior too, with 12.3″ centre display and an instrument panel that wraps around the driver and more room too, with three seats in the back rather than the current Mirai’s two.

Under the skin, the improvements in the hydrogen fuel cell, and bigger hydrogen tanks, will deliver a 30 per cent increase in range from the current Mirai’s 300 miles or so, with improved linear response.

Toyota are not being forthcoming beyond that, but we’d expect the improvements to the fuel cell could see an improved performance and, we’d hope, a reduction in the Mirai’s headline price of around £65k.