Every car company has its own plans for the future, but some manufacturers have practically proven one thing. They know how and will shape it, whether others like it or not. at research centers Japanese Toyota things are going on that not every layman is ready to perceive in reality. Not to mention competitors. Vaughn, the Prius ten years ago was the subject of barbs, and today a serial hybrid car at a divine price is already a reality even in Russia. And if hybrids are now being built by every second car plant on the planet, then everything is not so smooth with hydrogen cars. Until recently, this was expensive and completely unprofitable.
Put the show car on car showroom- it's one thing, but preparing the ground for the life of a completely new type of technology is quite another. The Japanese are ready to show everyone what the future looks like without oil rigs, and the first to really mass car, which does without oil products, has become Toyota Mirai.
Controversial on the outside, convincing on the inside, photo
Even a tree will speak when it sees the design serial sedan Toyota Mirai 2016-2017 model year. No, even worse specimens were shown at the exhibition sites, but in order to launch a car with a frankly defiant design into a series, you have to be Toyota. If the Prius has already slowly gained a customer base not only in Europe, but also in Asia, and in the Russian Federation, they already want it and are enrolled in the queue, then Toyota Mirai is only taking the first steps towards the general public. However, the task of the new model is not to collect queues, but first of all to accustom the public to a new type of fuel, hydrogen. Behind him, they say, is the future, and the future in Japanese is mirai.
Fuel cells, water, hydrogen - all this is frighteningly incomprehensible to a person who is at least somehow familiar with technology, and for an unfamiliar, space at all. Although there is nothing complicated here and the Japanese do not use any alien technologies. A hydrogen car could have appeared a hundred years ago, and who knows where gasoline and diesel fuel would have been if everything had turned out more successfully with a hydrogen engine. However, the task of Toyota Mirai is to be friendly to a simple consumer, which it shows on all test drives. All you need to drive a hydrogen Mirai is to fill up the tanks with hydrogen and drive like a normal hybrid car until the next gas station, which should be no further than 500 km. This is where the main problem lies.
Toyota is not afraid to experiment with exterior design
Even native to Toyota Mirai Japan there are no more than 25 hydrogen filling stations. And this is not enough. One such gas station costs about a million euros, so someone needs to invest a good penny in the development of the network. Naturally, the oil tycoons will not dig their own grave, although if each of them sells at least one car from his garage and builds at least one gas station with this money, then the issue of providing cars with hydrogen could be considered closed. And so the network hydrogen stations built by manufacturers. Toyota, Honda, BMW, Volkswagen and Daimler. Nevertheless, in Japan, by the end of this year, about a hundred hydrogen filling stations will be launched, in the States - about fifty, and in Europe the number of hydrogen filling stations will exceed five hundred, however, by 2020. We'll have to be patient.
How does he ride? How Toyota Mirai works, description
Under the hood of Toyota Mirai
Body panels, frankly, it's not even the tenth thing. You can sew up any chassis with plastic and aluminum and make it even futuristic, even in the style of cars of the 40s, a matter of taste. The main is located under the body panels, hoods and skins. If you remove them, then we will see the chassis of the familiar Toyota Prius of the fifth generation. Nothing special - front MacPherson strut, rear - torsion beam, electric power steering, disc brakes in a circle. The main thing is not even under the hood, there is a conventional hybrid power point, but instead of the engine internal combustion installed hydrogen generator, that's all.
In principle, Toyota Mirai is an electric car, only electricity to the electric motor comes not only from batteries, but also from an electrochemical generator. The battery is assembled from nickel-metal hydride cells, which allows for high starting currents even in cold weather. The battery itself is quite compact, it is installed above one of the hydrogen tanks. The electrochemical generator is also small, located under the front seats.
Toyota Mirai works very simply:
- The air intake in the front of the car, where we are used to seeing a radiator, takes air and supplies it to the tank.
- Oxygen from this volume is supplied to electrochemical generator.
- In the tank, instead of gasoline, there is hydrogen, which is also pumped into the generator.
- As a result of the electrochemical process, electricity is generated, which is supplied to the electric motor and water, which is drained overboard.
- The electric motor turns the transmission, Toyota Mirai goes to next gas station. So far, the power reserve is enough for 500 km.
Toyota built the first electrochemical generator itself eight years ago. Then it consisted of 400 elements, weighed more than a hundred kilograms, and for its placement it was necessary to allocate almost 70 liters of usable volume. The new fuel cells are more efficient, more productive and lighter, which is why today's mass-produced electricity generator weighs just over 50 kg, occupies 37 liters of space and can produce 115 kW. The new model generator is two and a half times more efficient than the old one.
Tanks for hydrogen Toyota also learned to build itself. The car has two tanks with a volume of 60 liters and a little, each of which can be filled with five kilograms of hydrogen. Tank bodies are made of carbon fiber, plastic and fiberglass reinforced plastic. There are three layers in total. They must withstand pressure up to seven hundred atmospheres and have become lighter and cheaper than the tanks of the previous generation. One of the tanks is located in the trunk, the second - under the rear seat. We open the hood, and there is a conventional electric motor, which has been installed on all hybrid cars since the early 2000s. The technical characteristics of the power plant differ little from the Prius - the engine produces 154 horsepower in terms of gasoline horses with a very serious electric torque of 335 Nm . The engine runs on a voltage of 244 V. Of the waste products - only pure water obtained by chemical means. They say it's healthier than milk, though it smells like plastic from which the pipeline is made.
Hydrogen Toyota Mirai is more practical than Tesla
If you really want, you can drink some water
At least that's what the facts say. An electric Tesla can only go from socket to socket if they are about 400 km apart, while a Toyota Mirai can go five hundred to a hydrogen station, which is harder to find than a mains socket. However, it is worth considering that Tesla needs to spend half a day to refuel with electricity, while Mirai will fill full tanks in a few minutes. It's practical.
A year ago, Elon Musk allowed himself to snide remarks and outright rudeness towards Japanese developers, but today he is quietly keeping quiet. Simply because Toyota, in principle, planned to sell no more than four hundred Toyota Mirai in 2015, but already in December last year, the company received 1,600 orders. The price of a hydrogen car in the only configuration for officials in the United States is $57.5 thousand. The cost of refueling a kilogram of hydrogen in Europe is 9.4 euros, and they ask 66,000 for a car there. In rubles, it will be more than three million, but the prospect of a hydrogen car in Russia has not even been discussed yet.
Test drive Toyota Mirai 2016-2017 model year
There is no need to wait for a miracle from Toyota Mirai. In life, if you do not delve into electrochemical subtleties, this regular car on electric power. Quiet, safe, environmentally friendly. And powerful. Judge for yourself - 355 Nm of torque without any restrictions on the number of revolutions. All these newtonometers are available immediately and before the stop. Yes, the car is not too light, it weighs (thanks to the batteries) about 1800 kg, but the center of gravity is also low. And this contributes to precise steering and incredible stability of the machine in corners.
Toyota Mirai has several modes of operation, but the most interesting of them is Power. By pressing such a button, the driver gets the opportunity to accelerate to hundreds in 9 seconds, and the maximum speed for the hydrogen is limited to 180 km / h, although the company says that this is far from the limit. Although I don't want to be rude. The car is incredibly quiet, much quieter than a Prius in electric mode. Generator gurgles occasionally, there is some aerodynamic noise on high speed, the tires are almost inaudible. Perhaps this is the quietest car according to the reviews of the owners in the world, if you do not step on the accelerator too much. Only then does a barely noticeable trolleybus itch break through into the cabin.
Video: Toyota Mirai test drive
For now force to buy new toyota Mirai can only be an irresistible craving to change the world for the better at its own expense and improve the financial condition of Toyota. Otherwise, buying a hydrogen car, say, in Moscow, does not justify itself economically, especially since the network of gas stations is just beginning to develop. Although the Mirai sells very well in Germany, Belgium, England and Denmark. It is from these countries that they began to build networks of gas stations, and it is there that there are strong benefits for buyers of environmentally friendly vehicles. Both tax and serious government subsidies for the purchase of a new car, and in addition, there are trade-in promotions, recycling programs and other lure. So even today it is profitable and fashionable to invest your money in ecology in Europe.
Of course, someday the hydrogen future will come to our roads, but we will drive into it, most likely, not on a Toyota Mirai, but on some Chinese copy Korean follower of the Japanese discoverer. Also cheaper...
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November of this year has become significant in many respects. A number of automakers presented their new products, which promise to become incredibly popular and in demand in the near future.
Nevertheless, against the background of other cars, I would like to especially note the creation of Toyota, which is Toyota name Mirai. It would seem to be a pretty nice modern car. But not everything in it is so simple. His key feature consists in a power unit that runs on hydrogen.
In principle, the name of the model was chosen for a reason. Translated from native to Japanese company language, Mirai means future.
Due to the operation of a special engine with fuel cells, energy is generated. This becomes possible due to a fairly simple chemical reaction - hydrogen interacts with oxygen, which sets the car in motion. The most interesting thing is that there is no smoke coming out of the exhaust pipes, which is dangerous for environment. From there, water just pours out.
Unlike hybrid and all-electric vehicles, which take hours to charge, the Toyota Mirai only takes about five minutes to fill a full tank.
Today's review will not be quite ordinary, as the focus will be on the history of hydrogen cars from Toyota, as well as some features of the Mirai model. However, we can still get a little familiar with the appearance.
Exterior
Externally, the car is made in the new global style of the manufacturer. Because Toyota Mirai is quite similar to the current versions of the Corolla and Avensis models, and there is also something from the current Lexus.
The front part does not have traditional lines at all. In general, it is rather difficult to describe, therefore we advise you to look at photos and video materials in order to understand us. Ahead we see the nameplate of a Japanese company placed in the center, and its inner part is made in blue. And this is not just so, but due to the fact that the machine is hydrogen. As you know, water is displayed in this color, as a rule.
Large bumper with air intakes, wide triangular openings at the edges, where they usually sit quietly and simply fog lights. It's all based on admission. a large number air. This is what caused such an appearance of the front.
And the side view is quite traditional and familiar to the eyes. Large comfortable doors, high window sills, medium-sized wheel arches, stylish exterior rear-view mirrors, complemented by turn signal repeaters.
At the back, we note stylish optics, large shades parking lights, a well-designed trunk lid and a good bumper. If you close your eyes to the front, the car will get a classic Toyota appearance. But it is the front part that takes us into the future, forms the impression of futurism.
Interior
Inside, the car also combines the classic solutions of our time and takes you at the same time into the future. Stylish multifunctional steering wheel, located in the center dashboard using a large display rather than traditional wells.
Air conditioning vents, center console with large touch screen, central tunnel. Everything looks bright, interesting and unusual. The driver will have to get acquainted with a lot of buttons and controls again, since a number of solutions are unconventional, they are not provided in cars with classic power units.
The seats are comfortable, have pronounced lateral support.
The back row has a comfortable accommodation for three passengers, judging by the manufacturer's statements. Whether this is actually so - we will find out a little later.
Are there any competitors?
The hydrogen car is a new and unknown concept for many. Although in fact, Toyota is not the only company that is engaged in such developments.
Although real competitor Toyota Mirai has one. But he hasn't been released yet. We are talking about a car from Honda, which is called FCV. Its appearance is expected in March 2016. By then, Toyota will have been in the hydrogen market for about a year.
A bit of hydrogen history
The hydrogen engine is not new to the Japanese company Toyota. In fact, the first steps towards the birth of the first production hydrogen car were made a long time ago, namely back in 1997. Then the world got acquainted with the prototype of such a car. However, before the appearance of the first small print run had to wait quite a long time.
In 2008, Japan announced the possibility of renting hydrogen car. Plus, this car, which bears the name FCHV, was provided to some government agencies and companies to act as testers. They could drive these cars, they were included in the fleet of companies, but the institutions faced the task of providing reports on the operation of hydrogen plants in certain periods after the completed stages of operation.
It was this information that helped Toyota in the development and improvement of the hydrogen power plant.
Price
Interestingly, despite the lack of data on the configuration and a number of other information, the Japanese have already managed to name prices for their unique new product.
To begin with, the hydrogen miracle will appear in Japan itself and will only be available there for about a year. By the fall of 2015, the first deliveries to the United States will begin. There you will have to pay for the car about 58 thousand dollars. And this starting price. What will be included in it, as well as how much the top version will cost and what options will be available for it, is still a mystery.
Specifications
Veils of secrets about specifications the manufacturer did not. It is known that the hybrid power plant produces power equal to 153 horsepower. And after all, this is despite the fact that the essence of the operation of the power unit lies in the reaction of hydrogen and oxygen, the "by-product" of which is water. That is, you will drive a Toyota Mirai, and instead of smoke, water will just slowly flow from the exhaust pipes. No pollution, no damage to nature.
Agree, all this looks somehow unusual, unusual and incomprehensible. But these cars are the future.
The cruising range with a full tank will be approximately 480 kilometers. This is enough not only for long drive around the city for several weeks, but even in order to get to neighboring cities. Where and how to refuel such a car is another question. It is obvious that with the development of hydrogen cars, the corresponding networks of gas stations will also develop. But all this takes time.
It is noteworthy that for all its features, in terms of dynamics, Toyota Mirai is not inferior to modern sedans. Judge for yourself, to reach the mark of 100 kilometers per hour in terms of starting from a standstill, you need only 9 seconds.
Plus, the car has another very interesting feature. A special Power Take Off system will allow owners of such a Toyota, if necessary, to use the power unit as a power plant to provide own house electricity. This is true in many situations, ranging from repairs, ending with interruptions in the central power supply, power outages due to weather conditions and so on. At the same time, Toyota Mirai is able to provide electricity to the house for a week. Much depends, of course, on the size of the house.
Conclusion
Toyota Mirai is the future. It is too early to talk about the imminent prospects for changing the vectors of development of the automotive industry. Nevertheless, the release of the model in the series, as well as its gradual distribution in the markets, suggests that everything will change after a while. Even hybrid cars may become a thing of the past if engineers manage to improve and modernize hydrogen power units. Still, fuel reserves are limited, but oxygen and hydrogen are more than enough.
Ecology of consumption. Motor: Toyota announced the start of sales in the domestic market of Japan of the first mass-produced hydrogen fuel cell car - the Mirai model. Now the innovative sedan enters the international market
In Japan, sales of the world's first mass-produced car are in full swing - the Mirai ("Future") sedan produced Toyota motor corp.
Due to the high interest in the new model in Japan, the number of pre-orders has already exceeded the sales target in the country. Until the end of last year, the Japanese automaker planned to produce 700 fuel cell vehicles, in which electricity for the engine is generated by combining hydrogen from a tank with atmospheric oxygen. 400 of them should go to the domestic market, 200 - to the US and 100 - to the countries of Western Europe. In this regard, it announced that by the end of 2016 it will invest ¥20 billion (about $162 million) in the development of the production of cars with hydrogen engines, having tripled the production of Mirai sedans (up to 2.1 thousand per year).
Part of the investment will be directed to expanding the export of such machines to Western Europe and the United States. They, according to Toyota, should become the main foreign market sales of hydrogen vehicles. In total, by the end of 2017, the automaker intends to supply more than 3,000 Mirai sedans to the United States.
A significant increase in the production of hydrogen cars (up to 50 thousand per year) will be achieved in 2020, when the Summer Olympic Games will be held in Tokyo. They, according to local authorities, should be a big step towards expanding the use of hydrogen not only in the automotive industry, but also in the energy sector. And in 2030, every tenth car sold in Japan will be fuel cell, which, according to the forecast of the consulting company Deloitte Tohmatsu Consulting Co., will bring an additional ¥4.4 trillion in profit to the Japanese economy (about $36.9 billion).
The cost of the new Mirai sedan in Japan is ¥7.23 million ($60.7 thousand), while the government provides subsidies of $17 thousand to each buyer of such cars in the country. In addition, owners are offered 24/7 free roadside assistance, as well as an eight-year warranty on the electric motor and fuel cells. The only product of work Mirai engine is water, no harmful substances are emitted into the atmosphere. A tank of hydrogen fuel is enough for about 650 km, and on its full refueling it takes about three minutes.
Another major Japanese automaker, Honda Motor Co. next year it also plans to start selling a hydrogen-powered car similar to the Mirai in terms of performance. Company nissan motor Co. will present its fuel cell model in three years.
The car is endowed with a TFCS (Toyota Fuel Cell System) power plant with a maximum performance of 114 kW, which combines the advantages of fuel hydrogen elements and hybrid drive. The machine does not produce harmful emissions to the atmosphere, since the only product of TFCS work is water.
Toyota emphasizes that Mirai offers the highest level of safety. Thus, hydrogen storage tanks are manufactured exclusively at Toyota with maximum quality control. The special structure of the tank made of several layers of polymer materials and carbon fiber provides strength and efficient energy absorption in case of deformation.
The Pre-collision System (PCS) is responsible for automatic braking in the event of a high risk of an accident. If the on-board electronics register the fact of an accident, the supply of hydrogen from the tank will instantly stop. One or more of the eight airbags will be deployed as needed.
The innovative sedan has a unique design and good handling achieved through a record low center of gravity.
On the occasion of the Mirai's introduction to the commercial market, Toyota President Akio Toyoda said: "We envisioned a future in which humanity would enjoy green cars, allowing not to rely entirely on oil reserves. These were bold, inspired dreams. Today they have become a reality. We are ready to produce the cars we dreamed about. And we named the first one Mirai. I saw the future. It's very close." published
P.S. And remember, just by changing your consumption, we are changing the world together! © econet
Sales of the Toyota Mirai ("future" in Jap.), the world's first mass-produced hydrogen-powered car. The price of the novelty is 7,236,000 yen (approximately $61,100), while the Japanese government subsidizes the purchase by 2.02 million yen (a little over $17,000). According to the company's plans, sales were supposed to begin in the spring of 2015, however, as the number of pre-orders exceeded expectations, it was decided to postpone the date to an early date.
Mirai is a four-door sedan powered by an electric motor with a capacity of 151 hp. s., which receives energy from a converter, the initial substance of which is hydrogen, stored in two carbon fiber tanks under a pressure of 70 MPa. The oxygen required for the chemical reaction comes directly from the car's radiator while it is in motion. One refueling is enough for a run of 480 km, and the filling itself with 5 kilograms (170 liters) of hydrogen lasts about 3 minutes. Max speed Mirai is 111 miles per hour (about 180 km / h), while it takes 9 seconds to accelerate to 100 km / h.
Under the hood of the Mirai
In Europe, the car will be officially presented at the Geneva Motor Show, and in America, sales will begin at the end of next year at a price of $ 57,500 (which is comparable to the brainchild of Elon Musk - Tesla electric cars) only in California and only in the amount of 200 copies - on this moment hydrogen filling stations there are none in the United States, and Toyota, together with Air Liquide, plans to build 12 of them by the start of sales - the price of one station is $7.2 million. As expected, the final price for a car, taking into account all discounts and government subsidies, may be $45,000.
Inside Mirai
In addition to its direct purpose, the car's power plant can also serve as a kind of home power plant for the home: engineers claim that with the help of the Power take off System they developed, the average Japanese house can be powered by generated electricity for 5 days. It is interesting to note that the idea of this non-standard use of the car arose because of the significant risks of disasters in Japan, when the tsunami leaves entire cities without electricity.
Regardless of whether Elon Musk has any reason to worry, TASS, referring to former Saudi Arabian minister Ahmed Zaki Yamani, notes that "the age of oil is coming to an end":
As a result of the proliferation of alternative sources, the demand for oil will decline. In the field of electricity generation, it is already being replaced by nuclear and wind turbines. Oil is still needed for transport, but demand there is falling due to the growing spread of hybrid and electric vehicles. The oil era will finally end if it is possible to practically introduce hydrogen fuel and cheap to produce.
says the expert.
Toyota introduced a new production model Mirai. The interesting thing is that the car runs on hydrogen instead of gasoline, or diesel fuel. Consider the characteristics, price and photo of the car.
Mirai means "future" in Japanese, and it's true that it's not every day that you see a car that runs on hydrogen instead of gasoline and can still travel quite a distance. The sedan itself is not very familiar in terms of shape and interior compared to other models.
Toyota Mirai outside
At first glance, it is difficult to understand whether this is a prototype of a new model, or stock car, but when you get closer and start looking around, you understand that the car is serial and radically different from other sedans. The Mirai show took place last year in Los Angeles, but in mass production will only come next year.
What configuration will be divided into new Mirai, Toyota manufacturer does not specify, most likely that it will be one configuration, which can differ at most in internal filling, and then at first there can be only one filling, since the model is completely fresh.
At the front, the Mirai grille is large and open to better cooling engine. The side parts of the lattice are also unusual large sizes which immediately distinguishes the car from others. In the Mirai side openings, which occupy almost the entire height front bumper, built-in LED daytime running lights, they also serve as fog lights in bad weather.
Above the Mirai bumper are located LED headlights elongated shape, it is they who separate the lower and upper parts of the car. Standing in front and looking at the Toyota Mirai, you can see that the part above the headlights is narrower, and the part of the car under the headlights is wider.
A small grille was placed between the headlights, it is more decorative than intended for good cooling. In the middle of the grille is the standard Toyota emblem.
The Mirai's hood is curved and sits between the front fenders, rather than resting on top of the fenders as usual on other Toyota models. The manufacturer is said to have improved aerodynamics thanks to this hood, but many still believe that this is not so.
On the side, the front fender has unusual shapes, following the contours of the headlights from the side to the rear-view mirrors, which the designers placed on the door, and not near the pillar, like most Toyotas. As the manufacturer assures, the mirrors in Mirai will be heated, turn signal and electric drive for adjustment.
The side body shapes of the Toyota Mirai indicate that designers and engineers tried to improve aerodynamics to the maximum, as the carved features of the aerodynamic body are visible on the doors, fenders and roof. On the doors there are handles with a touch sensor for opening the doors, the door closers are also included in the kit, which is very convenient and easy to open or close the doors.
The rear of the Mirai is unlike anything else in existence. Toyota models. Large rear lights that stretch from the bottom of the rear fender to the top of the trunk lid. Stop repeater, stretched along the trunk lid above the lights.
The rear bumper, on top, repeats the shape of the trunk lid and stops, the lower part is curved and divided into two parts by a stop follower. Under the bumper, there is no recess for the muffler or the muffler itself, and this is normal for Mirai, since it is based on a hydrogen engine, which instead of gasoline is refueled with hydrogen and the result of the exhaust (engine operation) is not CO2, but water vapor. The roof of the Toyota Mirai is also made aerodynamic, with a shark fin antenna mounted on the back of the roof.
to standard Toyota package Mirai alloy 17 will be installed? disks. On the rear left wing, engineers placed a filling port for hydrogen. By the way, Mirai can be refueled only at specialized gas stations, not at home.
The dimensions of the body of the Toyota Mirai are not to say that they are small and are:
- length is 4870 mm;
- width 1810 mm;
- height 1535 mm;
- wheelbase Mirai is 2780 mm;
- clearance Mirai - 130 mm.
- Blue metallic;
- Crystal white;
- Silver;
- Black.
The Mirai has a minimum turning radius of 5.7 m. The weight of the vehicle is 1850 kg.
Salon Toyota Mirai
The interior of the unusual Mirai also surprises with a lot of functional buttons on the front panel, beautiful design and multifunctionality.
Sitting in the driver's seat, the first thing that catches your eye is a large LCD touch screen in the middle, which will display images from the rear view camera, navigation maps or other Mirai functions.
Under the display there is an engine start / stop button, two air ducts and an emergency stop button. A little lower is the climate control panel, audio control buttons, heated seat buttons, mirrors and other auxiliary systems. Also located under the display gearshift lever. In all Mirai cars box will be automatic.
A little unusual and also not very convenient is the Mirai instrument panel. It was placed not above the steering wheel, as manufacturers often and habitually do, but in the middle of the console, above the LCD display. The long display shows complete information about the car, speed, engine status, hydrogen level in the tanks and more. necessary information while driving.
To the right of the middle of the console, there is a compartment familiar to everyone for storing a variety of small things, on the left steering wheel. Not without a heated steering wheel and control buttons on the steering wheel. The engineers tried to bring the control to the steering wheel to the maximum so that it was possible to control the Mirai in a couple of movements.
The interior of the Toyota Mirai contains many angles and aircraft-like details that some buyers may find uncomfortable and awkward. Salon upholstered in leather. Doors and front panel are also sheathed with leather inserts. The seats themselves are made in a sporty style, which is very convenient when traveling on long distance. The headrests on the seats are also comfortable and easily adjustable for any passenger. The rear seats of the Mirai are just as comfortable and designed for only two passengers, as they are separated in the middle by an armrest that cannot be folded down.
The interior will be available in black and white color scheme. Unlike black, white interior will not be completely white color, only in the most important and visible places.
Toyota Mirai Safety
As already known, the manufacturer Toyota always monitors the safety of drivers and passengers. Mirai is no exception to this series. As expected, in standard set includes seat belts and airbags. Auxiliary systems are parking sensors, rear view camera. More interesting was the front collision avoidance system, the radar detector was located behind the front grill near the Toyota emblem. Thanks to this system, at low speed, Mirai will stop itself and thus prevent an accident.
No less interesting is the blind zone system, which tells the driver by flashing the indicator on the rear-view mirror that another car or obstacle is driving in the blind zone near the car.
In general, Mirai is designed more for quiet driving and smooth roads, as the manufacturer claims, the car is more for the city and asphalt roads than dirt roads or racing.
Toyota Mirai 2016: specifications
As you already understood, the main indicator of Mirai is a hydrogen engine, it is not every day that you can meet a car that runs on hydrogen instead of gasoline. But also not everywhere there are gas stations for such engines, which becomes extremely inconvenient for the owners of such a car.
We have already mentioned that the entire model Toyota series Mirai will be completed automatic transmission with front wheel drive. Under the hood is a hydrogen engine that converts hydrogen into energy and allows you to drive about 500 km on one gas station. This is the main thing that distinguishes Mirai from electric cars that can travel a little more than 100 km on a single charge.
As for refueling, it is up to 5 minutes; in electric vehicles, refueling often takes from a couple of hours to the whole night. The power of the hydrogen engine is 154 hp, torque 335 Nm. Thus, acceleration of Toyota Mirai from 0 to 100 km/h is 9 seconds.
According to the manufacturer, the average hydrogen consumption is 100 ml per 1.61 km. Tanks for hydrogen, and there are two of them in cars, were located in the area rear wheels. They are produced only at the Toyota plant under strict quality control. The special structure of the tank with several layers of polymer material and carbon fiber make the tank durable and efficient in absorbing energy in case of deformation or impact. Each cylinder can hold about 60 and 62.4 liters. hydrogen.
To shift the center of gravity, all heavy parts were installed at the bottom of the Toyota Mirai. An additional battery is installed behind the rear seats, since pressing the gas, hydrogen does not immediately begin to generate energy, and thanks to this battery, the delay between generation and start has been removed.
The main competitor will be the Honda FCV, which is scheduled to start production in March 2016.
The principle of operation of the hydrogen engine
The principle of operation of the engine is not familiar to all other Toyota models. Hydrogen is taken in the form of fuel in a gas state, reacting with oxygen (taken from atmospheric air), water vapor and electrons are formed, which in turn are activated up to 650 volts and turn into power, helping to start the running mechanism.
The hydrogen then passes through a platinum-coated membrane (which is where the car's price comes from), and it separates the electrons from the protons. The latter, in turn, combine with oxygen to form water. A small amount of water is discharged as exhaust gases; for this, a waste water discharge button is provided in the cabin. Through a hole in the bottom of the Mirai, water is poured onto the roadway.
Light in the house
An interesting implementation by Toyota was the Power take off System, converting the car to not only drive without using gasoline or diesel, but also use the Mirai as a generator to generate electricity for the home.
By opening a special hole in the trunk, a socket in the form of a socket will be available to connect the electrical network at home with the car. The manufacturer provides a special adapter and cable to connect the car and the electrical network at home. From such a charge, Toyota Mirai is able to provide an average house with full tanks hydrogen for a week. Although the company does not provide any actual and recorded data on this matter, saying only that this is with the calculation of a typical American home.
