Toyota City, Japan, Apr 30, 2021 - (JCN Newswire) - Toyota Motor Corporation (Toyota) announced today that, toward the
achievement of a carbon-neutral mobility society, it is developing a hydrogen engine. It has installed the engine on a
racing vehicle based on Toyota's Corolla Sport, which it will enter in competition under the ORC ROOKIE Racing banner
starting with the Super Taikyu Series 2021 Powered by Hankook Round 3 NAPAC Fuji Super TEC 24 Hours Race on May 21-23.A Super Taikyu Series race
By honing its under-development hydrogen engine in the harsh environment of motorsports, Toyota aims to contribute to
the realization of a sustainable and prosperous mobility society.
Fuel cell electrified vehicles (FCEVs) such as Toyota's Mirai use a fuel cell in which hydrogen chemically reacts with
oxygen in the air to produce electricity that powers an electric motor. Meanwhile, hydrogen engines generate power
through the combustion of hydrogen using fuel supply and injection systems that have been modified from those used with
gasoline engines. Except for the combustion of minute amounts of engine oil during driving, which is also the case with
gasoline engines, hydrogen engines emit zero CO2 when in use.
Combustion in hydrogen engines occurs at a faster rate than in gasoline engines, resulting in a characteristic of good
responsiveness. While having excellent environmental performance, hydrogen engines also have the potential to relay the
fun of driving, including through sounds and vibrations.
Toyota has long engaged in the innovation of engine technology. Also, it is applying in production vehicles the
technologies that it has continued to refine through its participation in motorsports, with the GR Yaris launched last
September being one example. And when it comes to safety, Toyota intends to apply the technologies and know-how that it
has accumulated through the development of fuel cell vehicles and the commercialization of the Mirai.
Plans are for the hydrogen-engine-powered race vehicle announced today to be fueled during races using hydrogen
produced* at the Fukushima Hydrogen Energy Research Field in Namie Town, Fukushima Prefecture. While aiming to expand
hydrogen infrastructure by promoting hydrogen use, Toyota intends to continue advancing efforts for economic recovery
and revitalization of the Tohoku region together with all parties concerned.
Toward 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.
Engine overview
Displacement: 1,618 cc
Type: In-line 3-cylinder turbo with intercooler
Fuel used: Compressed hydrogen
*In cooperation with the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) and Japan's Ministry of
Economy, Trade and Industry