Mar 15, 2023 18:01 JST

Source: Toyota Motor Corporation

Toyota: Notice Concerning Absence of Hydrogen-Powered Corolla from Super Taikyu Series Suzuka

Toyota City, Japan, Mar 15, 2023 - (JCN Newswire) - This is a notification that the #32 ORC ROOKIE GR Corolla H2 Concept (hydrogen-powered Corolla), which was scheduled to participate in the ENEOS Super Taikyu Series 2023 Powered by Hankook Round 1 Suzuka to be held on March 18 and 19, 2023, will not be racing.

During a private test run at Fuji International Speedway on March 8, a vehicle fire occurred due to a hydrogen leak from a gaseous hydrogen pipe in the engine compartment. Consequently, we could not recover the vehicle in time and were forced to abandon the race. Instead, we plan to participate with the ORC ROOKIE GR Yaris (gasoline engine).

We apologize for the concern this may cause the many people looking forward to seeing the hydrogen-powered Corolla on the track.

The hydrogen-powered Corolla in the March 8 test run used liquid hydrogen. However, the vehicle fire was not directly caused by the fuel change from gaseous hydrogen to liquid hydrogen. The cause is seen to be the loosening of a piping joint from vehicle vibration, resulting in a hydrogen leak. As the piping joint is located near the engine, the leaked hydrogen ignited when heated.

It was found that the hydrogen leak sensor fail-safe functioned properly so that the hydrogen supply was shut off, avoiding a significant spread of the fire. As a result, the cabin was protected, and the safety measures for the occupants were confirmed.

We will review the piping design that caused the hydrogen leak this time to continue developing safer vehicles.

Together with our colleagues and partners, we will proceed to enter races with the hydrogen-powered Corolla and the challenge of achieving carbon neutrality. It is still one of our goals this year to become the world's first to race with liquid hydrogen fuel. We ask for your continued understanding and support.

Source: Toyota Motor Corporation
Sectors: Automotive

Copyright ©2025 JCN Newswire. All rights reserved. A division of Japan Corporate News Network.

Related Press Release


Sumitomo Metal Mining and Toyota Collaborate on Mass Production of Cathode Materials for All-Solid-State Batteries
October 09 2025 19:40 JST
 
Toyota Launches Strategic Investment Subsidiary and Woven Capital Fund II to Accelerate Transformation into a Mobility Company
September 30 2025 18:34 JST
 
Toyota Announces Sales, Production, and Export Results for August 2025
September 29 2025 14:11 JST
 
Isuzu and Toyota to Jointly Develop Next-Generation Fuel Cell Route Bus
September 29 2025 13:42 JST
 
Toyota Woven City Officially Launches as a Test Course for the Future of Mobility
September 26 2025 18:18 JST
 
Upgraded GR Corolla Set for Japan Launch
September 18 2025 23:48 JST
 
Toyota Launches Next-Generation New Mobility e-Palette
September 15 2025 14:33 JST
 
GR Yaris "Aero performance package" Set for Japan Launch
September 12 2025 13:40 JST
 
TGR Plans to Reproduce Engine Parts for Corolla Levin / Sprinter Trueno (AE86)
September 10 2025 17:11 JST
 
Toyota Submits Fourth Progress Report on Measures to Prevent Recurrence
September 09 2025 18:26 JST
 
More Press release >>

Latest Press Release


More Latest Release >>