Click to enlarge.
Toyota said today in Texas that its 2023 Toyota Mirai Limited grade brings the latest in advanced driver assistance technology with Toyota Teammate™, a set of driver-assistance technologies that can be optionally purchased, that has two functions: Advanced Drive and Advanced Park. It uses an intelligent system of cameras, radar and LiDAR, which work together to help achieve what Toyota called convenient and efficient mobility.
Advanced Drive can help drivers on certain limited-access highways by detecting driving conditions and executing acceleration, braking and steering commands under active supervision of the driver. Hands-free driving is also possible under certain conditions with eyes-on-the-road operation confirmed by the driver monitor system – yes, the car is watching you. Advanced Park assists the operations necessary for hands-free parking by automatically controlling steering, acceleration, braking and gear changes when parallel parking or backing into a parking space.
Click for more information.
At its heart, Mirai remains a breakthrough fuel-cell electric vehicle where the driver fills the tank with compressed hydrogen gas rather than liquid gasoline. It was derived from the Lexus LS 400 platform (rear-wheel drive – RWD-GA-L). A fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV), of course, generates its own electricity onboard from hydrogen, with water as the only emission. A fuel cell system combines stored hydrogen with oxygen from the air, and a chemical reaction that produces electric current, and water, which drops out of a vent pipe beneath the Mirai.
Electricity generated by the Mirai’s fuel cell and the regenerative braking system is stored in a lithium-ion battery. Pressing the accelerator pedal sends electric power from the fuel cell and/or battery to the rear-mounted AC synchronous electric motor, which drives the rear wheels. An electric air compressor pressurizes the intake air, and a water-cooled intercooler reduces the temperature of the compressed air before it enters the fuel cell stack. A water-cooled oil cooler integrated with the air compressor helps maximize efficiency.
The intake system is designed to mitigate noise, which is in AutoInformed’s experience is mostly unnoticeable inside the cabin. The intake air for the fuel cell must be purified with an electrostatic air cleaner element capturing ultra-fine particles (Particulate Matter 2.5); a charcoal filter removes chemical substances. As always, the Toyota Mirai will include up to $15,000 of complimentary hydrogen with a purchase or lease.
Toyota developed the solid-polymer electrolyte fuel cells used in the first- and second-generation Mirai models. To help foster FCEV proliferation, the company has released over 5,000 of its patents, royalty-free. It is a scalable technology that can be made small enough to power a phone or large enough to power a building, or anything in between. For example, Toyota installed fuel cell powertrains in a fleet of class-8 semi-trucks that are rated for a maximum 80,000-pound load. These big rigs have been used for moving freight in and around the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, California.
Hydrogen can be produced from a variety of domestic resources. The goal of the Hydrogen Council, for which Toyota is a founding member, is to use de-carbonized hydrogen for transportation such as that produced from bio-resources or renewable electricity via electrolysis by 2030. (Sir William Robert Grove, 1811-1896, a physicist and Justice of the British High Court, worked on batteries and demonstrated the first fuel cell in 1842.)
The 2023 Toyota Mirai is equipped with Toyota Audio Multimedia system designed and engineered by Toyota’s Texas-based Connected Technologies team. Mirai drivers can access a range of enhanced connectivity and convenience features, including Over-the-Air (OTA) updates. Toyota said that users can interact with the system through intuitive touch and voice activation controls. With the optional Connected Service Drive Connect, drivers and passengers have access to Intelligent Assistant, Cloud Navigation and Destination Assist. With Intelligent Assistant, simple phrases such as “Hey Toyota” awaken the system for voice activated commands to search for directions, find Points of Interest (POI), adjust audio controls, change the cabin temperatures, among other things.
Cloud Navigation is also part of the new Toyota Audio Multimedia system. This optional onboard navigation system uses the cloud to download the latest available map, traffic and routing information. To ensure users have the most up-to-date search capabilities, POI search is provided by Google Points-of-Interest data. Destination Assist also gives access to 24/7 live agent assistance to locate the next destination.
Toyota Audio Multimedia also allows for dual Bluetooth® phone connectivity, with support for standard wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ compatibility. With further connectivity, the Mirai has an available Wi-Fi Connect 1-month trial that offers 4G connectivity for up to five devices – turning the Mirai into an AT&T Hotspot. Adding to the already robust offering of audio playback ability with HD Radio®, USB data and a SiriusXM® Platinum Plan 3-month trial subscription, Wi-Fi Connect also enables the new Integrated Streaming feature, providing customers the ability to link their separate Apple Music® and Amazon Music subscriptions to the vehicle for onboard control.
Mirai Pricing*
- The 2023 XLE grade has a starting MSRP of $49,500. An Advanced Technology Package, which includes Bird’s Eye View camera, front and rear Parking Assist with Automated Braking and front seat foot illumination, can be added to the XLE grade for $1,410.
- The Limited grade has a starting MSRP of $66,000, with optional 20-inch Super Chrome Alloy wheels available for an additional $1,120. The Toyota Teammate option for Limited grade can be added for $5,170, on vehicles not equipped with the 20-in. Super Chrome Allow wheels.
- Both the XLE and Limited grades have a Special Color price of $425 for Oxygen White, Heavy Metal, Supersonic Red and, exclusive to the Limited, Hydro Blue.
- Both the XLE and Limited grades are equipped with 19 x 8-inch alloy wheels and 235/55R19 all-season tires. The Limited offers optional 20 x 8.5-inch turbine-style Super Chrome alloy wheels with 245/45ZR20 tires.
- Each Mirai comes with up to $15,000 of complimentary hydrogen.
- An extended ToyotaCare maintenance plan, good for three years or 35,000 miles, is included with the vehicle.
- Other owner benefits include roadside assistance for three years (unlimited miles), an eight-year/100,000-mile FCEV warranty on fuel cell electric vehicle components, and a complimentary rental for up to 21 days during the first three years of ownership.
* MSRP excludes Toyota Dealer Processing and Handling (DPH) Fee of $1,025 (DPH subject to change).
AutoInformed on
Cordless EV w 400 Mile Range – 2023 Toyota Mirai Fuel Cell
Click to enlarge.
Toyota said today in Texas that its 2023 Toyota Mirai Limited grade brings the latest in advanced driver assistance technology with Toyota Teammate™, a set of driver-assistance technologies that can be optionally purchased, that has two functions: Advanced Drive and Advanced Park. It uses an intelligent system of cameras, radar and LiDAR, which work together to help achieve what Toyota called convenient and efficient mobility.
Advanced Drive can help drivers on certain limited-access highways by detecting driving conditions and executing acceleration, braking and steering commands under active supervision of the driver. Hands-free driving is also possible under certain conditions with eyes-on-the-road operation confirmed by the driver monitor system – yes, the car is watching you. Advanced Park assists the operations necessary for hands-free parking by automatically controlling steering, acceleration, braking and gear changes when parallel parking or backing into a parking space.
Click for more information.
At its heart, Mirai remains a breakthrough fuel-cell electric vehicle where the driver fills the tank with compressed hydrogen gas rather than liquid gasoline. It was derived from the Lexus LS 400 platform (rear-wheel drive – RWD-GA-L). A fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV), of course, generates its own electricity onboard from hydrogen, with water as the only emission. A fuel cell system combines stored hydrogen with oxygen from the air, and a chemical reaction that produces electric current, and water, which drops out of a vent pipe beneath the Mirai.
Electricity generated by the Mirai’s fuel cell and the regenerative braking system is stored in a lithium-ion battery. Pressing the accelerator pedal sends electric power from the fuel cell and/or battery to the rear-mounted AC synchronous electric motor, which drives the rear wheels. An electric air compressor pressurizes the intake air, and a water-cooled intercooler reduces the temperature of the compressed air before it enters the fuel cell stack. A water-cooled oil cooler integrated with the air compressor helps maximize efficiency.
The intake system is designed to mitigate noise, which is in AutoInformed’s experience is mostly unnoticeable inside the cabin. The intake air for the fuel cell must be purified with an electrostatic air cleaner element capturing ultra-fine particles (Particulate Matter 2.5); a charcoal filter removes chemical substances. As always, the Toyota Mirai will include up to $15,000 of complimentary hydrogen with a purchase or lease.
Toyota developed the solid-polymer electrolyte fuel cells used in the first- and second-generation Mirai models. To help foster FCEV proliferation, the company has released over 5,000 of its patents, royalty-free. It is a scalable technology that can be made small enough to power a phone or large enough to power a building, or anything in between. For example, Toyota installed fuel cell powertrains in a fleet of class-8 semi-trucks that are rated for a maximum 80,000-pound load. These big rigs have been used for moving freight in and around the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, California.
Hydrogen can be produced from a variety of domestic resources. The goal of the Hydrogen Council, for which Toyota is a founding member, is to use de-carbonized hydrogen for transportation such as that produced from bio-resources or renewable electricity via electrolysis by 2030. (Sir William Robert Grove, 1811-1896, a physicist and Justice of the British High Court, worked on batteries and demonstrated the first fuel cell in 1842.)
The 2023 Toyota Mirai is equipped with Toyota Audio Multimedia system designed and engineered by Toyota’s Texas-based Connected Technologies team. Mirai drivers can access a range of enhanced connectivity and convenience features, including Over-the-Air (OTA) updates. Toyota said that users can interact with the system through intuitive touch and voice activation controls. With the optional Connected Service Drive Connect, drivers and passengers have access to Intelligent Assistant, Cloud Navigation and Destination Assist. With Intelligent Assistant, simple phrases such as “Hey Toyota” awaken the system for voice activated commands to search for directions, find Points of Interest (POI), adjust audio controls, change the cabin temperatures, among other things.
Cloud Navigation is also part of the new Toyota Audio Multimedia system. This optional onboard navigation system uses the cloud to download the latest available map, traffic and routing information. To ensure users have the most up-to-date search capabilities, POI search is provided by Google Points-of-Interest data. Destination Assist also gives access to 24/7 live agent assistance to locate the next destination.
Toyota Audio Multimedia also allows for dual Bluetooth® phone connectivity, with support for standard wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ compatibility. With further connectivity, the Mirai has an available Wi-Fi Connect 1-month trial that offers 4G connectivity for up to five devices – turning the Mirai into an AT&T Hotspot. Adding to the already robust offering of audio playback ability with HD Radio®, USB data and a SiriusXM® Platinum Plan 3-month trial subscription, Wi-Fi Connect also enables the new Integrated Streaming feature, providing customers the ability to link their separate Apple Music® and Amazon Music subscriptions to the vehicle for onboard control.
Mirai Pricing*
* MSRP excludes Toyota Dealer Processing and Handling (DPH) Fee of $1,025 (DPH subject to change).
AutoInformed on