Toyota has fitted a hydrogen-powered combustion engine inside the pocket rocket GR Yaris.
This version of the Yaris — which is powered by a hydrogen combustion engine technology — is still in the early stages of conceptual development and experimentation. This development started in 2017 and not yet ready for commercialization.
Toyota in Europe revealed that the hydrogen fuel, fuel tanks and refueling process of the experimental vehicle are the same as found in the Mirai, the brand’s commercially available flagship fuel cell electric vehicle.
“However, whilst the Mirai employs chemical reaction in the fuel cells to generate energy, the experimental GR Yaris features an internal combustion engine with hydrogen as the fuel,” the company shared in a statement.
The hydrogen-powered experimental GR Yaris features the G16E-GTS, 1.6-liter, in-line three-cylinder, turbocharged engine, but with a modified fuel supply and injection system for use with hydrogen as fuel.
This is the same powertrain found in another experimental model, the hydrogen-powered Corolla Sport, which has been competing in the Super Taikyu race series in Japan since May this year under the Rookie Racing arm of Toyota Gazoo Racing. This team has taken the challenge to test the experimental hydrogen combustion engine under the harsh environments of motorsport.
“We’ve taken the first step to compete with and develop our hydrogen-powered engine with the mindset of taking on the challenge. I imagine things will look a little different 10 years from now, and I hope people will look back and see how we took on the challenge with positivity and enjoyed every moment of it,” Toyota Motor Corporation President Akio Toyoda was quoted as saying.
Toyota noted that aside from being environment-friendly, hydrogen burns faster than petrol, resulting in good responsiveness.
“Towards achieving carbon neutrality, Toyota has been strengthening its efforts, such as by aiming to promote the use of hydrogen through the popularization of FCEVs and numerous other fuel-cell-powered products. By further refining its hydrogen-engine technologies through motorsports, Toyota intends to aim for the realization of an even better hydrogen-based society,” the company concluded.
Photos from Toyota Europe
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Toyota PH launches Gazoo Racing Yaris, holds GR track day
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