Not quite so ugly from this angle
Credit: Green Car Reports
In June of this year, I wrote of Toyota’s Mirai fuel cell vehicle, “So, how big is the market for a vehicle with all the disadvantages of a fuel cell, performance of a Prius & a price similar to a Tesla Model S?”
At that time, neither performance nor price were certain. Unfortunately, the speculation has largely proven to be accurate.
To quote the Green Car Reports article linked below:
“But what's it actually like to drive, as a car?”
“Perhaps not surprisingly, the answer turns out to be rather like a Prius, only quieter.”
“0-to-60-mph time of just under 10 seconds” – unfortunate similarity to a Prius too.
Price:
Arguably, this is Mirai’s strength. At $US57,500, it will undercut the cheapest Tesla Model S. However, there is reason to believe that this price is only possible because Toyota will lose $US60,000 to $US120,000 on every Mirai it sells.
Green Car Reports test drive:
http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1095985_2016-toyota-mirai-first-drive-of-hydrogen-fuel-cell-sedan / 2016 Toyota Mirai hydrogen fuel-cell car promotion attention very low numbers built Toyota Prius hybrid divisive design styling polarizing unappealing perceived cacophony of shapes accents curves swoops angles best view relatively small 16 inch wheels rear end styling aerodynamic purpose most extreme concept cars four seats comfortable weight range performance seating position fairly upright like a Prius interior materials hard plastic soft surfaces three separate color display screens dashboard slightly less Space Age vehicle information center Start it like a Prius three drive modes available Normal Eco Power powered by an electric motor gasoline engine under harder acceleration energy battery pack electric mode dominant sounds noise whine 4,056-pound Mirai feels heavy from behind the wheel electric motor driving the front wheels power electronics compressors plumbing hydrogen and oxygen fuel-cell stack under the front seats pair of hydrogen tanks hydrogen compressed to about 10,000 psi smooth comfortable ride relatively tall sidewalls of its tires electric power steering vague relatively numb little feedback from the road prototype fuel cells don't instantly spool their power output to match demand 1.6-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack maximum output of 114 kilowatts 153 horsepower 2-ton vehicle weigh more than a conventional gasoline car won't win any drag races noise aside /
