Toyota Mirai hydrogen fuel cell vehicle showcased at the 2016 Delhi Auto Expo; emphasises the brand’s zero emission and futuristic alternative fuel technology
Toyota has taken the opportunity at the Auto Expo 2016 to showcase its advanced alternative fuel cell technologies with the introduction of the Mirai hydrogen fuel cell vehicle. It’s one of the first hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles to make into production and sold worldwide. Revealed at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November 2014, the latest generation Mirai has a total range of 502 km on US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) cycle.
It’s most fuel efficient hydrogen-powered vehicle rated by EPA and the Japanese government provided a subsidy of ¥2 million to support the commercialization of the fuel-cell technology. The carbon-fibre wrapped and polymer lined three-layer hydrogen fuel tank structure is designed not to leak and in case of a collision the sensors will stop the flow of hydrogen.
Safety system equipped in the Mirai are an Enhanced Vehicle Stability Control, ABS with EBD, Brake Assist, Smart Stop Technology, Pre-Collision System, Safety Connect, Lane Departure Alert and Eight SRS airbags. The fuel cell system consists of a power control unit, a motor, a boost converter, a fuel cell stack, hydrogen tanks and battery.
Based on the PCU of Toyota Prius, the Power Control Unit decides when to draw energy from battery or from the fuel cell stack directly. The four-phase booster converter brings voltage to 650 volts and the stack produces power by the combination of hydrogen with the oxgen from the atmosphere and story in the battery as electrical energy. The battery will be of huge assistance during the time of high power demands and allows for regenerative braking with highly improved fuel efficiency and enhanced performance.
The futuristic” design has exaggerated accents, black recesses below the bonnet and the roof with plentiful shapes, angles and curves. There’s an aerodynamically shaped rear end and overall stance makes it sleek yet contoured. The Toyota Mirai rides on 16-inch alloy wheels and the brand new fuel cell stack technology will enable for more power than conventional Electric Vehicles.
It pumps out 153 hp of maximum power and 247 pound-feet of peak torque. Despite the subdued electric nature of Mirai and weighing in at 4,000 pounds, it has seamless acceleration and can get from 0 to 100 kmph in just nine seconds.
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter & on Youtube