Toyota Mirai dedicated to fuel cell future (pictures)

Toyota announced a fuel cell car earlier this year. At the Los Angeles auto show, the company showed off the production version, a 2016 model going on sale next year.

The Mirai, a name that means "future" in Japanese, is built on an existing platform but uses a unique design and components.

A little bit bigger than the Prius, the Mirai is a front-wheel-drive sedan. However, its passenger capacity is limited to four, likely to reduce strain on the drive train.

The Mirai's trunk space is somewhat compromised, as Toyota packages two 10,000 PSI hydrogen tanks in the structure.

The trailing edge of the Mirai shows an aerodynamic design that will lessen drag on the car.

Toyota had designed three big air intakes in front of the development car, to cool the drive-train system. This design was retained for the Mirai, even though it does not require as much cooling.

LED headlights use less electricity, and will come standard on the production version.

The Mirai's front wheels are driven by a 113-kilowatt electric motor, producing 247 pound-feet of torque. That motor gets its electric from a fuel cell stack.

Under the hood sites the fuel cell stack, which harvests electricity from the reaction of hydrogen combining with oxygen. With 5 kilograms of hydrogen stored in the Mirai, it can go 300 miles.

With a high-pressure hydrogen fueling station, the Mirai fills  up its tanks in about 5 minutes. The hydrogen tanks use layers of reinforced carbon fiber and plastic materials, making them very durable.

Prius drivers will recognize the Mirai's drive selector, a simple lever switching between Reverse, Neutral and Drive. A B position enacts heavy regeneration from the motor, mimicking engine braking.

The cabin of the Mirai borrows some elements from other Toyota models.

As in the Prius, the instrument cluster is LCD-based, and sits in a band above the dashboard.

The navigation system will include a list of nearby hydrogen fueling stations. At present, there are only nine in California. Toyota is working with partners to expand the availability of these stations.

An H2O button dumps excess water vapor from the car, its sole emission. The DC Out button lets owners use the Mirai as a power source for appliances.