Toyota is targeting a 1,000 kilometers (620-mile) range for the Fine-Comfort Ride concept, compared to about 650 kilometers for the current Mirai fuel cell vehicle, according to a statement Wednesday. The company’s new concept car will be unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show October 25 through November 5.
Other than the Mirai, which Toyota launched in late 2014, only Honda Motor Company has a hydrogen-powered car, the Clarity Fuel Cell sold in Japan. And while hydrogen vehicles can be refueled in as little as three minutes, and have a longer range than electric vehicles, the Japan Times notes one necessity is to have enough hydrogen refueling stations available.
Japan has 91 hydrogen refueling stations, while in the United States, there are a total of 40, not counting private refueling stations, with four on the East Coast and the rest located in California, according to the Department of Energy.
Shape of the future design plus comfort
To enhance aerodynamic performance, engineers adopted a diamond-shaped cabin that narrows toward the rear, while being wider in the front on back to the center of the vehicle. This concept gives plenty of room for the second row of seats, allowing for a six-passenger ride.
The concept car’s unique layout includes an in-wheel motor, while the wheels are positioned at the very corners of the vehicle. The design also utilizes a body underside cover that allows for high running stability and quietness suited to a premium ride. The seats can all be arranged so they will face inward or in a reclining position. A Toyota spokeswoman declined to provide additional details of the powertrain or self-driving technology.
Toyota will also be displaying a new fuel cell concept bus called Sora alongside the Fine-Comfort Ride at the Tokyo show. The bus can seat 79 people including the driver. The bus has eight high-definition cameras monitoring the interior and exterior of the vehicle, LED lamps at the front and rear, fold-up seats, and acceleration control to prevent jerky starts.
Toyota plans to launch sales of a commercial model based on the concept vehicle in 2018 and expects to introduce over 100 Sora, mainly within the Tokyo metropolitan area, ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
