A few days ago, we learned from relevant sources that Yamaha and Toyota are developing hydrogen-powered naturally aspirated V8 engines with a maximum power of 450Ps. The announcement comes as Toyota, Mazda, Subaru and Kawasaki prepare to collaborate to extend the life of combustion technology while achieving clean air goals.
Of course, although this engine is hydrogen-powered, it is not completely new. The 5.0-litre naturally aspirated V8 engine is based on the engine used in the Lexus RC F coupe, with improvements to its fuel injection system and intake system, as well as other components.
Yamaha says it has a maximum power of 450Ps/6800rpm and a peak torque of 540N·m/3600rpm. Although this clean engine is slightly less powerful than the fuel engine's 479Ps, it means that if we can use the V8 engine for a few more years, many people will gladly accept it.
Takeshi Yamada, an engineer at Yamaha, explains, "All the people who came to test drive the prototype were skeptical at first, but ended up with a big smile on their faces when they got out of the car. When I saw this, I came to believe that the unique properties of hydrogen-powered engines actually had enormous potential, rather than simply using them as an alternative to gasoline engines. ”
At this stage, neither company has announced anything about the technology going public in a short period of time. How it would connect the exhaust system to the crazy top 8-1 exhaust manifold, Yamaha claims, produces a very unique high-frequency sound.
Considering that Toyota has already launched a hydrogen-powered Corolla in Japan's Super Taikyu series of competitions and showcased a hydrogen-powered GR Yaris prototype with the same technology, the company is clearly committed to the concept.
Considering that it is a pioneer in hybrid technology, Toyota has been slow to embrace the idea of an all-electric vehicle, with CEO Akio Toyoda giving an impassioned speech on the mistake of banning the internal combustion engine. "Carbon is our enemy, not the internal combustion engine," he told a news conference at the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA).
Yamaha has pledged to be carbon neutral by 2050 and began developing hydrogen-powered engines five years ago. Yoshihiro Hidaka, President of Yamaha Motor Company, explains: "Hydrogen-powered engines maintain our passion for internal combustion engines while remaining carbon neutral." "We want to work with companies with different corporate cultures and areas of expertise and increase the number of partners, which is our way into the future."