Japanese cars manufacturers

The Mirai isn't the very first mass-market hydrogen-powered vehicle to-be introduced in britain – that accolade goes to Hyundai’s ix35 Fuel Cell. The hi-tech Toyota could be the 2nd such machine become apply the acquisition, without lease, marketplace though, hence’s an achievement never to be sniffed at.

However, although this quirkily styled saloon can be classified as full-production, this indicates Toyota is certainly going in with a softly-softly method. It'll build only 700 instances at first and, of those, Britain can get a dozen or more – rising to 18 next year if sufficient folks are prepared to part with the required £66, 000 in substitution for ultra-low-emissions motoring, a 24/7 concierge ‘Companion Service’, a claimed 400-mile range plus a five-year guarantee and roadside-assistance package.

Inside the wise, leather-trimmed cabin, the hydrogen gear doesn’t encroach on room – unlike inside 361-litre boot – which renders lots of traveler room

So, exactly how is hydrogen energy used right here? Basically, the Mirai’s gas cellular bunch integrates external oxygen with hydrogen obtained from its two on-board tanks to produce electricity, which it shops in a battery to power an individual, 152bhp electric engine. Therefore drives the front rims through a fixed-ratio transmission. The only real waste product within tailpipe is liquid.

Of course, it’s a little more complicated than we’ve managed to make it sound – nevertheless the only bits the typical driver has to concern by themselves with is filling the container (once they’ve found somewhere to take action, but we’ll come to that in a minute) and making the most of the load area, that will be somewhat restricted thanks to the extensive technical gubbins.

All in all, it's a surprisingly typical automobile to push

On your way, the Mirai – the term implies ‘future’ in Japanese – is a calm, processed, virtually silent runner with impressively muscular and simply accessed overall performance. Its speed is comparable to an EV’s – all there, from the comfort of the off – that will be a particular benefit around town. When pressing on, its low-mounted size causes unexpectedly good ride and handling, too. On the whole, it's a surprisingly regular automobile to drive.