2016 Toyota Mirai makes official U.S. debut with a 'Back to the Future' film advertisement
To celebrate the arrival of Oct. 21, 2015 known as "Back to the Future Day," Toyota USA has unveiled a "Back to the Future" clip to introduce the futuristic Toyota Mirai. In the clip, Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) and Doc Brown (Christopher Lloyd) are introduced to the hydrogen fuel-cell technology that powers the Toyota Mirai.
During the official U.S. launch of the Toyota Mirai, which means future in Japanese, it was revealed that the development of the fuel cell technology has spanned 12 years. Prospective owners will be getting their pre-ordered Mirai vehicles soon as Toyota announced that it hopes to sell 1,000 vehicles by the end of 2016.
The 2016 Toyota Mirai features a modern and futuristic design. The car has sharp creases. The front fascia has a trapezoidal grille, thin headlights, two large intakes on the front bumper and LED daytime running lights.
The Toyota Mirai is similar to a hybrid as its power comes from an electric motor. According to Car Magazine UK, power comes from the "chemical reaction in the hydrogen powered fuel cell stack," which is found under the rear seats. The Toyota Mirai has no harmful emissions, only emitting water vapor. The Mirai also comes with a nickel metal-hydride battery to help boost performance during hard acceleration.
The motor is paired with a single ratio gearbox. The Mirai produces 152 horsepower 247 lb.ft of torque. It also goes from 0 to 62 mph in 9.6 seconds and attains a top speed of 111 mph. The Toyora Mirai also has a driving range of 312 miles and fuel economy of 66 mpg for combined driving.
Inside, the interiors feature a clean but strong design. A large display on the dashboard relays information about the car. In the center, the infotainment system also provides satellite navigation. The interiors also feature soft-touch accents. The seats, made from soft leather, are also spacious and comfortable.
The Mirai will initially be sold only in California where there are already about 20 hydrogen fueling stations. Drivers will get three years worth of free refueling.
The 2015 Toyota Mirai ($57,500) comes in four colors, Nautical Blue Metallic, Crystal White, Elemental Silver and Celestial Black.