- Toyota’s Corolla racing car, powered by liquid hydrogen, made its debut on the racing course during a 24-hour race at Fuji International Speedway in Oyama town.
- Toyota Chief Executive Koji Sato said he hoped to make an announcement soon about Toyota’s participation in Le Mans.
Toyota’s Corolla racing car, powered by liquid hydrogen, made its debut on the racing course during a 24-hour race at Fuji International Speedway in Oyama town. This is part of a move to bring futuristic technology into the racing world and to demonstrate Toyota’s resolve to develop green vehicles.
Toyota Chairman Akio Toyoda, resplendent in a fire-resistant racing uniform, was all smiles as he prepared to buzz around the circuit in the hydrogen-fueled Corolla. He said, “This is a world first for a liquid hydrogen car to race. We hope it will offer another option in the fight against global warming.”
According to Toyota officials, the hydrogen Corolla race car won’t be turning up at your dealer anytime soon. The Super Taikyu 24-hour race at Fuji Speedway was just a test for the technology. Unlike electric vehicles, it has a combustion engine that burns liquid hydrogen instead of gasoline, and auto racing has been moving to leave its growling gas guzzlers behind.
At last week’s event, Pierre Fillon, president of the Automobile Club de l’Ouest, which organizes Le Mans, announced that 24 Hours of Le Mans, the world’s most famous endurance race, will be open to hydrogen-powered cars using both fuel cells and combustion engines starting in 2026. Fillon told reporters. “Hydrogen for me, is a very interesting solution for the future. We have to move for mobility to zero emissions. This is very important for our planet and our children.” Also, Toyota Chief Executive Koji Sato said he hoped to make an announcement soon about Toyota’s participation in Le Mans.