Toyota and Yamaha hatching wild hydrogen-powered V8
Lexus 5.0-litre V8 provides basis for zero-emissions combustion engine in future FCEVsToyota and Yamaha have teamed up to prove there's plenty of life left in the combustion engine by working to convert the 5.0-litre V8 in the 2022 Lexus LC 500 to run on hydrogen fuel.
The radical plan to throw the naturally-aspirated engine a lifeline was revealed following Toyota's announcement it was entering a hydrogen-powered Toyota Corolla in Japan's Super Taikyu race series that has already spun-off a concept for a hydrogen-powered Toyota GR Yaris.
Based on an engine borrowed from the current Lexus RC F sports coupe, engineers say the modified 5.0-litre V8 features different injectors, new heads, a redesigned intake manifold, plus numerous other changes.
Running on hydrogen, Yamaha claims the 5.0-litre pumps out 335kW – down from 351kW the Lexus RC F Track Edition produces, but the hydrogen-fuelled V8 claws back a small advantage with its 540Nm torque peak (+10Nm).
While other car-makers are backing away from hydrogen including one of its pioneers –Hyundai – Toyota and partner Yamaha remain convinced of its potential.
Yamaha president Yoshihiro Hidaka said: "Hydrogen engines house the potential to be carbon neutral while keeping our passion for the internal combustion engine alive at the same time.
"Teaming up with companies with different corporate cultures and areas of expertise as well as growing the number of partners we have is how we want to lead the way into the future."
Doing without expensive and heavy batteries, burning hydrogen still preserves a V8's engine note, something all the more appealing in an electric age.
The continued investment in combustion engines follows a partnership forged between Toyota, Mazda, Subaru and Kawasaki in which they'll work together to extend the lifespan of ICEs while meeting their emissions commitments.
Yamaha has pledged to become carbon neutral by 2050 and began developing hydrogen-powered combustion engines five years ago.
Related: Hydrogen-fuelled Toyota GR Yaris H2 unleashed
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