Second-gen Toyota Mirai will debut in 2020

Toyota has recently announced the launch of second-gen Toyota Mirai regardless of the sales figures of the vehicle. Takeshi Uchiyamada, the Chairman of Toyota quoted the upcoming launch in Tokyo at meeting on hydrogen energy with ministers from around the world.

Nothing has been disclosed in the context of the powertrain of the vehicle, but it is estimated that it may use hydrogen fuel technology which has been developed by the automaker jointly with BMW.

BMW revealed its i Hydrogen Next at the recent happened Frankfurt Motor Show which will be based on the ongoing X5 model but with a new fuel-cell powertrain. The expected launch may happen in 2022.

The first-gen Toyota Mirai is powered by front-wheel drive electric motor, producing 153 PS of power and 335 Nm of torque. It incorporates a fuel cell stack, which combines the oxygen taken from the atmosphere and hydrogen taken from the two on-board large tanks and produces electricity and water vapour.

Also, it is equipped with a small battery of 1.6kWh nickel-metal hydride which collects excess energy produced. Currently, customers can buy a Mirai at few locations including southern California, Germany, and Japan.

The Toyota Mirai price starts from US$58,500 ($86,400) before taxes in the United States which marks as the second-highest starting price across the Toyota range in the US. Ahead of this Toyota Land Cruiser price starts at US$85,315 ($126,000) and Sequoia SUV and Supra comes after Mirai with the prices US$49,905 ($73,700) and US$49,990 ($73,800) respectively.

Matt Harrison, Toyota Europe's head of sales and marketing quoted on the pricing, "By the third generation we fully expect fuel cell costs to be comparable with hybrids".

Stay tuned to Zigwheels Australia for more insights on this.

Also read: Next-Gen Toyota 86/Subaru BRZ set for Tokyo reveal