Toyota Hydrogen fuelled internal combustion engine Sports Car

Hydrogen ICE – Toyota’s development of a Corolla Sport racecar, powered by a hydrogen-fuelled internal combustion engine, takes another leap forward when it competes in its fourth endurance motorsport event this weekend.

Toyota Corolla powered by hydrogen internal combustion engine The car’s engineering team has successfully increased the innovative engine’s power and torque, while maintaining its fuel efficiency.

The hydrogen powered Corolla Sport will compete in two three-hour races at the final round of the Super Taikyu motorsport series in Japan – Asia’s premier grassroots endurance racing category.

Except for the combustion of minute amounts of engine oil during driving, which is also the case with petrol engines, hydrogen engines emit zero CO2 when in use.

Master driver Morizo, Toyota Global President and CEO Akio Toyoda, is taking stints at the wheel this weekend, following his extensive feedback that has helped make the car faster.

Toyota’s technical progress is further contributing to carbon neutrality by ensuring the racecar’s hydrogen is produced using renewable energy – in this case, refined from sewage biogas.

Toyota Corolla powered by hydrogen internal combustion engine

The world’s leading carmaker has now set its sights beyond the racetrack in developing engine and other technologies using hydrogen on its path to achieving net-zero carbon emissions.

Toward the goal of achieving carbon neutrality, Toyota and four other companies have come together as colleagues to expand the options for achieving carbon neutrality.

Details of Toyota’s collaboration with the four companies include:

Kawasaki Heavy Industries and Yamaha: Initiating consideration of the possibility of joint research for hydrogen engine development for vehicles and motorcycles.

Subaru and Mazda: Working with Toyota to compete with carbon-neutral fuel in the Super Taikyu series.

Mr Toyoda said the companies want to increase their options towards achieving carbon neutrality by demonstrating their emerging technologies in the field of motorsports.

“I believe that this kind of willful passion and action will change the shape of the future 10 or 20 years from now,” Mr Toyoda said.

“With the courage and determination to change the shape of the future, we will continue to take on challenges.”

The Corolla Sport’s hydrogen engine is based on the 200kW 1.6-litre turbo engine in the production GR Yaris, but was achieving approximately 10 per cent less power at its first race in May this year.

Toyota Corolla powered by hydrogen internal combustion engine

Development throughout the Super Taikyu series has resulted in the hydrogen engine in the racecar now achieving the same performance as the GR Yaris production car, improving its acceleration and top speed. The team is now engaged in discussions aimed at making the car faster.

Hydrogen refuelling time has also been more than halved, from five minutes in the first round to around two minutes.

Toyota’s expertise in connected technology has enabled the team to monitor the racecar’s data with real-time information in mere seconds, reducing the lead time required for analysis and helping increase the speed of development.

About Rob Fraser 2475 Articles
Rob Fraser – General dogsbody & Director Rob is the founder of the business. He constantly mutters something about way too many red wines one evening being to blame. Often known for taking the 4WD in the driveway over the sports car, he has travelled pretty much everywhere in Australia and when he is bored goes for a drive. He first learned to drive on the farm in a left hand drive WW11 Jeep when he was 11, and was hooked on 4WDriving way back then. In addition to 4WD he is an avid motoring enthusiast and has maintained a strong interest in the industry ever since his teens. He has owned way too many cars in his time as well. Having previously lived at the top of corporate life he retired in 2000 and hasn’t put a suit and tie on since. Cars are his passion so why not have a business doing what you love he figures. He has towed either a caravan or camper trailer to most parts of Australia, has run guided tours for camper trailers’ and instructed drivers in off road towing.