Toyota: Corolla Cross with hydrogen in everyday test
TECHNOLOGY OPENNESS Multitechnology with battery and fuel cell electric powertrains, as well as hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles, enables Toyota customers to reduce their carbon footprint.
In addition to the electric drive with battery or with fuel cell, Toyota is also further developing hydrogen combustion technology. This year, the Japanese have participated in all Super Taikyu endurance races in Japan with the Rookie Racing Team. The vehicle used is a GR Corolla H2 with a hydrogen engine. Toyota President Akio Toyoda, under the pseudonym Morizo, was at the wheel himself at each race to assess the development.
Road vehicle prototype
In Europe, a Toyota GR Yaris H2 with hydrogen engine drove on public roads for the first time in August this year. Regular intensive motorsport activity has significantly accelerated development. During the Super Taikyu season, it was possible to increase the power of the hydrogen engine by 24 percent and the torque by as much as 33 percent, thus reaching the performance level of a gasoline engine.
The progress made gave the developers the confidence to create a prototype road vehicle - the Corolla Cross H2 Concept. To this end, the 1.6-liter three-cylinder turbocharged engine from the GR Corolla was fitted with high-pressure hydrogen injection and the hydrogen tank from the Mirai was installed.
The result was a Corolla Cross H2 hydrogen prototype with room for five people and their luggage. Evaluation on the road is currently underway.
Adaptation of existing technologies
The positive aspect of hydrogen combustion is mainly that, on the one hand, it opens up new prospects for combustion engine technology and, on the other hand, it consumes fewer resources such as lithium and nickel for batteries.
By adapting existing technologies, hydrogen combustion can lead more quickly to CO2 reductions that can be realized on a large scale.
