Toyota GR Corolla H2: More progress in 3rd year at Fuji 24 Hours

TOYKO: Toyota's liquid hydrogen-powered GR Corolla H2 recently made major progress in its third year at the Fuji 24 Hours Race, according to the Japanese automaker.

The Fuji 24 Hours is Round 3 of the Super Taikyu Series.

The final result was 468 laps (2,135km).


The GR Corolla H2 has a 1.6-litre 3-cylinder turbo engine with direct injection, and uses hydrogen tank packaging know-how from the Toyota Mirai.

The GR Corolla H2 is world’s first car to race using liquid hydrogen fuel, which allows refuelling in pits alongside other competitors.

The experimental race car is nearly emissions-free, and emits almost no carbon dioxide (CO2).

Although the race was interrupted by thunderstorms and fog, resulting in a shorter running time, the team surpassed its 332 lap record from last year (1,515km) by 40%.

Those 24 hours demonstrated the major progress the liquid hydrogen Corolla has made, but the year leading up to this point was filled with struggle.

While the previously unstable liquid hydrogen system began to take shape, more typical racing car issues, such as alternator malfunctions and engine troubles, began to pop up.

The team also tried to improve hydrogen refueling to reduce its impact on the number of laps achieved.

By lowering the temperature and taking time to fill the tank, they were able to store more liquid hydrogen with a method they called “slow refueling.”

There is no end to making ever-better cars, said the Japanese automaker.

Toyota Motor Corp chairman Akio Toyoda (who races under his pseudonym Morizo) said, "It was a long journey. But I feel like this year we finally truly joined the race...I think we’ve made real progress.”