Hydrogen-fuelled Toyota GR Yaris H2 unleashed

Toyota has unwrapped another hydrogen-powered model, but rather than again showcase the alternative fuel in a premium sedan or SUV, it has used the current 2021 Toyota GR Yaris hot hatch.

The new concept for a super-low-emissions hot hatch is called the Toyota GR Yaris H2.

However, instead of converting the Hyundai i20 N and Volkswagen Polo GTI rival to fuel-cell power, the small all-wheel drive rally refugee runs the same 1.6-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine.

To run on hydrogen, Toyota says it strengthened the three-pot's block, added new valve seals and modified the fuel supply and injection system.

Burning hydrogen at a far faster rate than petrol, Toyota says the GR Yaris' engine blends "good responsiveness with excellent environmental performance" while keeping the standard car's "acoustic and sensory sensations".

Since it doesn't rely on a fuel-cell, the GR Yaris H2 isn't as clean when it comes to emissions as the Toyota Mirai sedan.

Both CO2 and NOx are produced, but the levels are claimed to be many times lower than the petrol version as they're thought to be linked to the lubrication system needed for the engine in the absence of petrol.

No claims have been released on how much power or torque are produced, nor how much quicker (or slower) the hydrogen-powered concept is compared to the regular car.

Sadly, for those hoping the new hydrogen powertrain will extend the life of the in-demand GR Yaris, prepare to be disappointed. Toyota has no plans to push the GR Yaris H2 into production.

Instead, it will continue to invest heavily in hydrogen power and launch its new generation of fuel-cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) in 2022.

The Japanese car-maker says its new FCEV technology will bring a 54 per cent boost in power density, compared to current tech, and weigh 25 per cent less, while taking up 27 per cent less space thanks to a reduction in the fuel stack volume.

In the future, the new fuel-cell modules will come in either a cubic or regular shape to enable them to be packaged in a wider variety of vehicles, including trucks.

Currently, the big attraction of vehicles like the Toyota Mirai is they deliver a range of around 400km after a refilling time of less than 10 minutes.