The all-new Toyota Mirai has been named the 2016 World Green Car at the New York International Auto Show.
Available for purchase in only certain parts of California, due to limited refueling locations, the hydrogen fuel-cell car achieves more range than any plug-in electric car out there. The futuristic Mirai is well ahead of its time and is regarded by many, as providing insight into what the future will hold for automobiles; after all, its name means “the future” in Japanese.
“Just as Prius changed the world nearly 20 years ago, the hydrogen-powered Mirai is ready to make history,” said Bill Fay, group vice president and general manager, Toyota Division. “With a range of over 300 miles per tank, a refueling time of under five minutes, and emissions that consist only of water vapor, Mirai is leading the world forward toward a more sustainable future.”
Mirai pulled ahead of seven other vehicles to earn the recognition. Tailpipe emissions, fuel consumption, and use of a major advanced powerplant technology, were all elements that the car scored very well on.
Speaking of technology, one of the most important characteristics of the car is its ability to travel 300 miles on 11 pounds of pressurized hydrogen it carries. This translates into a fuel efficiency equivalent of 60 miles per gallon. Its top speed is 111 miles per hour, which is not bad at all, considering that the car emits zero emissions. And, while all-electric cars also achieve zero emissions, they do come with the limitations of a charging cord.
Driving the Toyota Mirai is a front-mounted electric motor that produces 151 horses and 247 pound-feet of torque. A 1.6-kWh nickel-metal hydride battery can be found behind the rear seats and delivers an extra jolt of power when it’s needed.
Although the Mirai is not available for purchase at our dealership in Houston, we do have a large selection of fuel-efficient Prius models that you’re sure to love! Please read our 2016 Prius research review page to learn about all the specs and features that this great car has to offer. When you’re finished, please stop by and we’ll arrange a test drive for you.
