Toyota unveils prototype Corolla Cross hydrogen combustion engine car

The concept vehicle was developed with an H2 tank and enough room for 5 passengers and luggage.

The engineering team at Toyota has recently unveiled a new prototype hydrogen combustion engine car called the Corolla Cross H2 Concept.

The vehicle is based on the GR Corolla equipped with a 1.6l 3-cylinder turbo engine.

That car was equipped with a hydrogen combustion engine with direct injection technology from motorsport activity, in addition to an H2 tank based on the expertise gained from the development and launch of the Mirai. This car has enough room for 5 passengers as well as their luggage.

Images Credit:KKPCW（Kyu3）, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The new hydrogen car is still a prototype. Its evaluation under real world conditions is currently underway, even as its digital development is continuing. The car is slated to begin its winter testing in northern Japan very soon.

The hydrogen combustion engine design was chosen for a number of benefits it can provide.

Among the top advantages offered by H2 internal combustion engines (ICEs) is that they provide the capacity to leverage existing ICE technologies in addition to rapid refueling times and a notable decrease in the use and requirement for rare and expensive elements of which there is a limited supply, such as lithium and nickel (required for battery production). Adaptation of existing technologies and reaching further into existing investments gives H2 ICE tech the chance to provide a faster and more accessible carbon reduction solution, said Toyota.

According to the automaker it has arrived at approximately 40 percent of the distance along the road to commercializing vehicles such as the new Corolla Cross H2 Concept. There is no way to tell at this point if the tech will reach mainstream use in the passenger vehicle market, but Toyota is highly confident in the opportunity it presents in motorsports.

Earlier in 2022, Toyota took part in all Super Taikyu endurance races in Japan (by way of the Rookie Racing team) using the GR Corolla H2 with a hydrogen combustion engine. Throughout the events, Toyota President Akio Toyoda drove in every race under the master driver pseudonym “Morizo”, providing him with a firsthand opportunity to evaluate and contribute to the vehicle’s development.

Tokumeigakarinoaoshima, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Hydrogen FAQ’s – Hydrogen Toyota Corolla

Q1: What is the Toyota Corolla Cross H2 Concept?

A1: The Toyota hydrogen combustion engine car is a prototype that was recently unveiled by Toyota’s engineering team. This vehicle is based on the GR Corolla and is equipped with a 1.6l 3-cylinder turbo engine.

Q2: How does the hydrogen combustion engine work in this concept vehicle?

A2: The car is equipped with a hydrogen combustion engine with direct injection technology from motorsport activity. It also has an H2 tank, which is based on the expertise gained from the development and launch of the Mirai.

Q3: What is the passenger and luggage capacity of the Corolla Cross H2 Concept?

A3: This concept car has enough room to comfortably accommodate 5 passengers and their luggage.

Q4: Is the H2 vehicle ready for commercial use?

A4: The new H2 vehicle is still a prototype. Its evaluation under real-world conditions is currently underway, and its digital development is continuing. According to Toyota, it has covered approximately 40 percent of the journey towards commercializing vehicles like the new Corolla Cross H2 Concept.

Q5: Why was the hydrogen combustion engine design chosen for this vehicle?

A5: The hydrogen combustion engine design offers several benefits. It leverages existing internal combustion engine technologies, allows for rapid refueling times, and reduces the use of rare and expensive elements like lithium and nickel, which are required for battery production.

Q6: Has the Corolla Cross H2 Concept been tested in any racing events?

A6: Yes, earlier in 2022, Toyota took part in all Super Taikyu endurance races in Japan using the GR Corolla H2 with a hydrogen combustion engine. Throughout the events, Toyota President Akio Toyoda drove in every race, giving him a firsthand opportunity to evaluate and contribute to the vehicle’s development.