Car Fule

After helping to democratize the hybrid in the early 2000s, Toyota has been working for a few years to do the same with hydrogen. One thinks in particular of the large Mirai sedan, of which the second generation was recently launched. This car uses hydrogen in a Fuel cell : hydrogen is converted into electricity, which powers an electric motor. A alternative to the battery car, in short.

But this technology is not the only way to use hydrogen in the automobile. Very flammable, this gas can also be used as a replacement for gasoline or diesel in a conventional internal combustion engine. Certainly, some adjustments are necessary, and the energy efficiency is lower than that of conventional oil, but the game can be worth the candle: the whole thing only releases water vapor, and no CO2, while maintaining the characteristics of a heat engine that amateurs will appreciate.

The GR Yaris engine in a racing Corolla

Toyota therefore decided to explore this technology, in the always demanding context of motorsport. To do this, a small 3-cylinder turbo Toyota GR Yaris engine was converted to hydrogen, and installed under the hood of a racing Corolla. This car will be engaged in an endurance race in Japan at the end of May. A real test for technology, with hydrogen refueling scheduled during the event.

Toyota is not, however, the first manufacturer to attempt the hydrogen adventure in racing: in 2013, a hydrogen-powered Aston Martin Rapide took part in the 24 Hours of the Nürburgring.

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