Toyota is to race a hydrogen-engined version of its Corolla Sport in the Japanese Super Taikyu Series’s third round, the NAPAC Fuji Super TEC 24 Hours Race, which will be held from May 21-23. The company stated, “By training hydrogen engines in the harsh environment of motor sports, we will contribute to the realization of a sustainable and prosperous mobility society.”
The engine will be adapted to use hydrogen fuel, with a revised injection system and onboard hydrogen storage. Toyota notes that CO2 tailpipe emissions are not generated, except for a very small amount of engine oil combustion which cannot be avoided. It also said it would draw on experience gained with its GR Yaris platform for the engine’s development.
The company points out that as hydrogen has a faster burn than gasoline, engine responsiveness is improved. As such, almost zero-emissions can be achieved while still retaining the experience of driving an IC engine car. The hydrogen used in the competition car will be sourced from the Fukushima Hydrogen Energy Research Field in Namie Town, Fukushima Prefecture.
Toyota concluded that motorsport remains an important testbed for technologies. “While aiming to expand the infrastructure by promoting the utilization of hydrogen, we will continue to promote efforts for economic recovery and regional revitalization together with all concerned parties,” Toyota said.
“Toyota has been strengthening its efforts to promote the utilization of hydrogen by popularizing not only FCVs [fuel cell vehicles] but also many FC products toward the realization of carbon neutrality. By further training hydrogen engine technology in motorsports, we aim to realize a better hydrogen society.”
