Yamaha has been commissioned by Toyota to develop a 5.0 litre V8 hydrogen combustion engine for cars.
The development is part of a collaborative effort by automotive-related companies in Japan in the quest for carbon neutrality.
In November last year five companies – Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Subaru Corporation, Toyota Motor Corporation, Mazda Motor Corporation, and Yamaha Motor – announced they would begin discussions on collaborative research into expanding the range of fuel options for internal combustion engines.
The V8 hydrogen engine is based on the 5.0-litre engine in the Lexus RC F luxury sport coupe, with modifications made to the injectors, cylinder heads, intake manifold, and more, and according to Yamaha it delivers up to 450 hp at 6,800 rpm.
“We are working toward achieving carbon neutrality by 2050,” explained Yamaha Motor president Yoshihiro Hidaka. “At the same time, ‘Motor’ is in our company name and we accordingly have a strong passion for and level of commitment to the internal combustion engine.
“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.”
Takeshi Yamada, a member of the hydrogen engine development team, added: “Hydrogen engines have an innately friendly feel that makes them easy to use even without resorting to electronic driving aids.
“Everyone who came to test-drive the prototype car would start off somewhat sceptical, but emerged from the car with a big smile on their face at the end. As I watched this, I started to believe that there is actually enormous potential in the characteristics unique to hydrogen engines instead of simply treating it as a substitute for gasoline.”
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