Toyota has revealed a hydrogen GR Yaris which showcases an experimental hydrogen-powered combustion engine that was first used earlier this year inside a racing Corolla Sport.
The hydrogen fuel, fuel tanks and refuelling process found in the hydrogen GR Yaris are the same as those in the Mirai. However, while Mirai employs chemical reactions in the fuel cells to generate energy, the experimental GR Yaris features an internal combustion engine with hydrogen as the fuel.
The hydrogen combustion engine technology is still in the early stages of conceptual development and experimentation, having started in 2017, and is not yet ready for commercialisation. Nonetheless, Toyota’s experimental hydrogen-powered Corolla Sport is already delivering high performance at motorsport events in Japan with almost zero tailpipe emissions.
The hydrogen-powered experimental GR Yaris and the Corolla Sport both feature the same G16E-GTS, 1.6-litre, in-line 3-cylinder, turbocharged engine that is found in the GR Yaris, but with a modified fuel supply and injection system for use with hydrogen as fuel.
The experimental hydrogen-powered Corolla Sport has been competing in the Super Taikyu race series in Japan since May this year under the ROOKIE Racing arm of Toyota Gazoo Racing. The team has taken on the challenge to test the experimental hydrogen combustion engine under the harsh environments of motorsport.
Hydrogen combusts at a faster rate than petrol, resulting in good responsiveness while delivering excellent environmental performance. In addition to being extremely clean, hydrogen combustion has the potential to deliver a fun-to-drive experience with the acoustic and sensory sensations that characterise internal combustion engines.
Toyota has been strengthening its efforts towards achieving carbon neutrality, such as by aiming to promote the use of hydrogen through the popularisation of FCEVs and numerous other fuel-cell-powered products. By further refining its hydrogen engine technologies through motorsports, it intends to aim for the realisation of an even better hydrogen-based society.
Thank you Toyota.
Rowing my own gears and hearing the roar of the engine is essential for me when driving, and an all-electric future would kill that off for sure.
Concepts like these make me look forward to a no-emissions future!
Best of luck for this project.
Hi Marty,
Thank you for your kind words.
We are pleased to hear you are just as excited as we are.
Thanks.
I really hope Toyota develop the hydrogen alternative and press for the infrastructure needed to support this e.g. hydrogen fuel points at filling stations
This is utterly fantastic. I’ll be one of the first to buy when they’re released to the public. Best wishes for the project Toyota!
Amazing car and a fantastic concept.
Good luck with this – because for all a car is primarily a mode of transport – driving IS fun and this looks like it could keep everyone happy.
Hi Ian,
Thank you for your kind words.
You can read more about our Hydrogen Vehicles here – https://www.toyota.co.uk/hydrogen/
Thanks.
As a long term Toyota fan and owner (Corolla, Yaris, Avensis, Land Cruser) I just can’t wait for Toyota to develop and market this technology. EVs just don’t cut it!
Hi Bill,
Thank you for your loyalty over the years.
You can explore more about our steps forward in hydrogen here – https://www.toyota.co.uk/hydrogen/
Thanks.
How do you lubricate such an engine? Or does it lack the moving parts such as pistons? Only had my Corolla 2lt hybrid a week but loving it already. 57.8 mpg achieved yesterday on trip to local wildlife park 🙂
Hi Steve,
Thanks for your comment and congratulations on your new Corolla.
What colour and grade did you choose?
Thanks.