All-new Toyota Mirai launches with lease program

TOYOTA has followed in the footsteps of the pioneering Hyundai Nexo by introducing an extended demonstration program for its all-new hydrogen-powered Mirai fuel-cell electric vehicle (FCEV).

While just 20 examples will be made available to “organisations and businesses” in and around Melbourne only, Toyota may be open to extended contracts after the end of the lease period on a case-by-case scenario.

The price is $1750 per month over three years, taking the price to $63,000 over the 36-month timeframe, not including a mandatory one-off $2693 servicing fee. There is also a mileage cap of 60,000km.

With Hyundai declining to divulge what the Nexo’s monthly costs are, it is thought that the Mirai costs somewhat less per month to lease.

The 20 organisations and businesses taking on the new Mirai will be able to refuel at Victoria's first permanent hydrogen production and refuelling facility at Toyota’s Centre of Excellence facility in Altona.

This constraint means parties interested outside of Melbourne will have to wait until more hydrogen infrastructure arrives nationally.

This is also in contrast to the 10 examples of the first-generation Mirai that underwent testing in and around the city as part of a small-scale trial program initiated in 2018; assessed by local council and utility companies, these needed to be refuelled via a mobile hydrogen truck.

The second-gen, JPD20-series Mirai was only recently launched in its Japanese home market, with a long and coupe-like four-door sedan silhouette offering seating for five. This shape was chosen for its aerodynamics, with a drag co-efficient of 0.29Cd.

Measuring in at just under five metres long (4975mm), 1885mm wide, 1470mm high and with a wheelbase of 2920mm, the hydrogen-powered Toyota is roughly the same dimensions as the Kia Stinger – which is also rear-wheel drive – and offers 160mm of ground clearance. Suspension is via a multi-link set-up front and rear and braking is via discs all round. 235/55R19 tyres are fitted.

Under the bonnet is a fuel cell powertrain featuring a 128kW 330-cell fuel cell stack, which draws in purified air and combines it with hydrogen in a chemical reaction to create electricity, with water vapour being the only emission.

That electricity is fed into either a lithium-ion battery mounted behind the rear seat, or directly to an integrated electric motor housed in a rear transaxle combining the motor, transmission and differential in what Toyota calls “a lightweight, compact, integrated unit”.

Tipping the scales at around 1900kg, the resulting power and torque outputs are 134kW and 300Nm respectively. The hydrogen is stored in three carbon-fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) tanks that have a combined capacity of 5.6kg, giving the Mirai a range of approximately 650km.

On the safety front the Mirai ushers in an advanced pre-collision system with day/night pedestrian and day cyclist detection, emergency steering assist, lane trace assist, lane departure alert, intersection turn assist, limited road sign assist, auto high beam, blind spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert and adaptive cruise control, among other driver-assist technologies. There are also seven airbags, a surround-view monitor and parking brake support.

The interior includes an 8.0-inch digital instrument cluster incorporating a 4.2-inch info display, while a 12.3-inch touchscreen is situated above the centre console, and features what Toyota claims is the latest-generation multimedia system with the usual satellite navigation, Bluetooth connectivity and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility.

Given that premium positioning, a high-end audio system is also included, along with dual-zone climate control, keyless entry/start, “refined” pleather upholstery and powered front seats.

The boot, meanwhile, is just 272 litres in capacity – blame the hydrogen gubbins – and that’s roundly beaten by the 470L found in the Corolla sedan.

According to Toyota Australia vice-president of sales, marketing Sean Hanley, the Mirai is the beginning of a new era for the brand in Australia, as it strives for a zero-emissions future.

"When we launched the Prius hybrid 20 years ago, we started a drive towards helping reduce emissions from our vehicles through a process of electrification," he said.

"Today, we offer hybrid powertrains in seven vehicle lines and we have sold more than 200,000 Toyota hybrids over the past two decades.

"With the introduction of the zero-emission Mirai FCEV and its use by pioneering organisations, Toyota is continuing that journey as we aim to achieve zero emissions from our vehicles by 2050 under the global Toyota Environmental Challenge 2050.”