Hydrogen Combustion Engine Corolla Cross Is Toyota’s New Bet to Show There Are Other Possibilities for Zero Emissions

Leaving Electrification Behind And Focusing On Hydrogen Combustion Engine, Toyota Is Betting On Its Corolla Cross And Plans To Bring A Serial Production Of The Model.

Toyota continues to focus on a multi-energy approach by recently presenting its new model Corolla Cross H2, a prototype equipped with a hydrogen combustion engine to show that there are other possibilities in terms of emission neutrality beyond electric cars.

Toyota Focuses On Hydrogen Combustion Engine And Electric

In fact, the automaker from Japan continues to invest in hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and battery electric vehicles, but without prioritizing a particular propulsion. In its press release, the company emphasizes that it provides the opportunity for its customers spread across 170 countries and regions worldwide to reduce their carbon footprint currently, regardless of their location and daily demands.

As already mentioned on other occasions, the automaker firmly believes that it is too early to focus on just one single zero-emission solution and, thus, is developing, at the same time, the hydrogen combustion engine alongside battery electric technology.

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To create the prototypes equipped with hydrogen engines, the Japanese automaker, through the Rookie Racing team, has utilized motorsport. During 2022, the automaker was present in all Super Taikyu endurance races in Japan with a hydrogen combustion Corolla H2 GR, which was even driven by the company’s president, Akio Toyota.

The hydrogen combustion vehicle made its first public road appearance in Europe when the GR Yaris H2 was put on full throttle in a demonstration race at the WRC in Ypres, Belgium. This technology experiment during racing events helped the automaker collect data and begin evaluating the viability of this type of propulsion.

Hydrogen Combustion Engine Achieves Performance Comparable To Gasoline Engine

Throughout a Super Taikyu season, Toyota managed to expand hydrogen combustion torque by 33% and power by 24%, achieving a dynamic performance advancement equivalent to that of a conventional gasoline engine.

The range was expanded by about 30% and the refueling time reduced from approximately five minutes to one and a half minutes. In addition to using hydrogen, Toyota is working together with various stakeholders in the areas of green hydrogen production and transport, with the demanding environment of motorsport serving as a testing ground. With all this accumulated knowledge, the automaker decided to go beyond the racetracks and develop a prototype for the streets: the Corolla Cross H2 Concept.

Corolla Cross May Gain Serial Production

The compact SUV features a 1.6-liter 3-cylinder turbo engine from the GR Corolla with high-pressure hydrogen direct injection technology. Furthermore, it utilizes the knowledge from the Mirai hydrogen tank, enabling the Japanese automaker to develop a hydrogen Corolla Cross H2 prototype that can carry up to 5 passengers and their luggage.

The actual evaluation is currently being conducted alongside digital development, with the vehicle soon starting winter testing in northern Japan. The main benefits of hydrogen combustion include reducing dependence on limited raw materials, such as lithium and nickel, and faster refueling times compared to electric cars.

Currently, Toyota claims it is about 40% of the way towards producing models like the Corolla Cross H2 Concept.