Toyota Mirai raises bar in hydrogen innovation
The 2015 Toyota Mirai
Business magazine “Fast Company” included Toyota on its list of the 50 most innovative companies in the world, based mainly on the launch of the Toyota Mirai, the first fuel cell vehicle to be manufactured on a mass-market basis.
Revealed during the past North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Toyota Mirai uses its advanced technology to offer a host of benefits for both driver and planet. It has a range of 300 miles per charge with a consumption of up to 60 miles per gallon. It also gives off zero emissions and its only byproduct is water vapor.
“Toyota’s commitment to the environment is undisputed and can be seen in the importance we place on the development of technologies that coexist with responsibility,” said Nancy Navales, vice president of Toyota de Puerto Rico.
“Our business is no longer exclusive to the manufacture and sale of cars. Our focus now is finding solutions to the challenges that human mobility and transportation face. Toyota Mirai is an example of this,” she said.
Toyota Mirai’s drivetrain is made up of an electric 153-horsepower engine. The electricity that powers it is created by a fuel cell, a device in which hydrogen and oxygen interact. The oxygen is obtained from the air that comes through the front grill of the car, while the hydrogen is stored in two carbon fiber tanks. The result of the chemical reaction that takes place in the engine to create electricity is pure water.
Toyota Mirai shows off an elegant profile that gives off a futuristic impression. The rear profile is trapezoidal in shape and extends to the lower ends of the bumper and tires. The high-tech headlights give off a sophisticated vibe, are ultra-thin and contain four LED lights. In its interior one finds a bespoke space with soft linings on the doors and on other interior surfaces, complete with glossy silver details. The front seats are made so as to better fit the body, provide greater support, and offer eight seat positions for an ideal posture.
Toyota currently markets six hybrid models and foresees a future in which their entire model lineup will incorporate the HSD system.
“The actions we have taken have been firm and decisive, and reflect our outlook and pioneering spirit. Our alternative fuel models fulfill our objective of giving customers responsible technology,” said Navales.
