.While unleaded still powers the majority of new vehicles, the race for engines powered by alternate means is on. Diesel, itself a fossil fuel, if a more efficient one, is pretty much out of the running thanks to VW’s emission scandal. Toyota’s gas/battery hybrid is proving itself irrelevant, more a stop-gap than a real solution (just ask the Chevy Volt.) The all-electric flag’s been flying high thanks to Tesla, though their position as the leader of the battery pack (heh) is under assault from multiple fronts.
Another option that’s so far stayed under the radar is Toyota’s use of hydrogen. First seen underpinning the, uh, questionably designed Mirai, the torquey, quick-to-fill engine offers an experience closer to that of an ICE motor than EV. It’s light, takes only a few minutes to fill, and produced just water vapor as emissions.
It’s also next to impossible to find a charging station.
The 2021 Toyota Mirai Refuels in Mere Minutes. If You Can Find a Charging Station
That combination of an almost non-existant infrastructure and terrible styling has left the Mirai more of a novelty than an environmentally friendly option. With a premium price tag, few people have chosen it over a Model S.
In a surprising turn of events, Toyota’s taken an uncharacteristically exciting approach for the 2021 Toyota Mirai. Riding on their global rear-drive platform, the next-gen model is a surprisingly stylish sedan. While the rest of their lineup echos Honda’s unfortunate reliance on creases and angles, the Mirai is an exercise in restrained luxury.
(It’s a very odd thing to ask that Toyota tones down their styling.)
Specs have yet to be released, but here’s hoping that it offers more power than the previous model’s paltry 153 hp. Range is expected to increase from 300 to 350 miles. A similar increase in power would be the least it’d taken to keep things interesting.
Otherwise, it’ll stay a novelty.