Second Generation Toyota Mirai

Will1991

Moderator
Messages
1,572
Reactions
3,205
This car is receiving praises everywhere, an amazing evolution from the previous generation!

And it's one of the most beautiful sedans ever:

image.png


20201210-New-MIRAI-149.jpg
 

Will1991

Moderator
Messages
1,572
Reactions
3,205
Don't forget, it's GS size with UX power...

Even the ES250 AWD has more power than this and everyone went ballistic...
 

Gecko

Administrator
Messages
4,721
Reactions
11,286
Don't forget, it's GS size with UX power...

Even the ES250 AWD has more power than this and everyone went ballistic...

ES is also just an "interim fix" FWD-biased sedan with the same engine as a RAV4, really only appealing to someone who needs AWD traction and doesn't mind a heavily compromised package to get it.

The Mirai's hydrogen hybrid system is a totally different ball game and attracts a totally different type of buyer regardless of power - someone focused on cutting edge tech and environmental impact. ES is neither of those.
 

Gor134

Admirer
Messages
792
Reactions
1,432
Correct me if I'm wrong but.. wasn't Lexus supposed to have a hydrogen-powered car out by 2020?
 

Will1991

Moderator
Messages
1,572
Reactions
3,205
@CRSTKN, after seeing some reviews, I find it a bit hard to say if this was going to be a proper GS...

Yes, Lexus clearly loose a beautiful sedan, but it's cramped in the rear seats and it has a small boot… Considering that the GS was always a bigger car than the ES, this one seems to be worse than the current 3/3.5IS in both this areas...

It would be a beautifull but heavy, expensive and non-pratical sedan next to the competition.... Reviewers would make it sound like the worst thing Lexus ever created and most probably would be a really hard thing to sell next to a ES or even a LS... Even harder than the 4GS was with a well packaged chassis, nice to drive and spacious interior...

Given this, probably this was the best thing for Lexus since it shared some of the development cost with Toyota (turned into the Mirai) and in return get some more R&D cash to spend in the future.
 
Last edited:

Gecko

Administrator
Messages
4,721
Reactions
11,286
@CRSTKN, after seeing some reviews, I find it a bit hard to say if this was going to be a proper GS...

Yes, Lexus clearly loose a beautiful sedan, but it's cramped in the rear seats and it has a small boot… Considering that the GS was always a bigger car than the ES, this one seems to be worse than the current 3/3.5IS in both this areas...

It would be a beautifull but heavy, expensive and non-pratical sedan next to the competition.... Reviewers would make it sound like the worst thing Lexus ever created and most probably would be a really hard thing to sell next to a ES or even a LS... Even harder than the 4GS was with a well packaged chassis, nice to drive and spacious interior...

Given this, probably this was the best thing for Lexus since it shared some of the development cost with Toyota (turned into the Mirai) and in return get some more R&D cash to spend in the future.

Quite simple. They had to rework the packaging to accommodate the hydrogen powertrain, which eats into interior and trunk space for the hydrogen tanks, rear battery and rear motor.

 

Will1991

Moderator
Messages
1,572
Reactions
3,205
@Gecko, only for headroom at most...

LS wasn’t build with any hydrogen in mind and it’s already less spacious than the ES... Considering this is a shorter wheelbase version of the LS and front space is the same... Something has got to give and in this case was cargo and back seat space.
 

Gecko

Administrator
Messages
4,721
Reactions
11,286
@Gecko, only for headroom at most...

LS wasn’t build with any hydrogen in mind and it’s already less spacious than the ES... Considering this is a shorter wheelbase version of the LS and front space is the same... Something has got to give and in this case was cargo and back seat space.

GA-N and GA-L are both heavy, poorly packaged platforms to begin with - you are right - and FWD is always a more space efficient package than RWD. But the packaging of 3 hydrogen tanks, batteries, motors and the fuel cell unit makes it even worse for the Mirai, adding insult to injury. An ICE or hybrid/ICE GS would have still had far less interior volume than an ES - that is for sure - but Mirai is even worse.