SHIZUOKA, Jun 04 (News On Japan) - Toyota's hydrogen engine vehicle, which competed in a 24-hour endurance race over the weekend, is continuing to evolve with the aim of mass production.
Roaring around the track, the race car sped through tight curves and accelerated even more on the straights. When it pulled into the pit, the "H2 (Hydrogen)" label on the body stood out—a symbol of Toyota’s vision for the future of motorsports and a carbon-neutral society.
The 24-hour endurance race took place at Fuji Speedway in Shizuoka Prefecture, with the iconic Mount Fuji in the background. The car racing through the course was Toyota’s liquid hydrogen engine prototype.
Unlike electric vehicles, this car burns hydrogen directly to run, resulting in minimal carbon dioxide emissions. While Toyota initially used gaseous hydrogen when development began four years ago, it shifted to liquid hydrogen in 2023. In the final race of 2024, the vehicle achieved roughly 2.5 times the driving range per fill-up compared to when using gaseous hydrogen.
For this latest race, Toyota introduced technologies aimed at both high power and improved fuel efficiency. These included a new combustion method and a redesigned hydrogen refill valve to shorten refueling times.
Takahashi Tomoya, President of Toyota’s GR Company, stated, "Last season, we were told to build up the fundamental strength to climb the mountain toward practical use. This year, we focused on simply finishing the race with that mindset."
Once again, Chairman Akio Toyoda took the wheel as a driver. The car completed 468 laps in 24 hours—well exceeding its performance in 2024.
While Toyota continues to push its hydrogen engine vehicles toward commercialization, it also unveiled a prototype racing kart at the circuit that day. Although karts are widely seen as ideal entry points into motorsports, full-fledged models can cost around 1.5 million yen, posing a barrier to broader adoption.
To address this, Toyota is leveraging its mass production expertise to develop a low-cost kart. The company aims to bring the price down to roughly one-quarter that of European-made karts. It has also created a custom kit that allows a single adult to transport the kart in a minivan.
In addition to gasoline, the new kart can run on carbon-neutral fuel. Another prototype kart equipped with a hydrogen (gaseous) engine was also unveiled, showcasing its dynamic driving performance.
Ito Naoaki, Chief Engineer at Toyota’s GR Vehicle Development Division, commented, "We’re thinking about how to revitalize the auto industry moving forward—planting seeds for the future and considering how to attract children into the automotive world."
Toyota's challenge continues—aiming to inspire a new generation of car enthusiasts while remaining mindful of the environment.
Source: FNN
