The Japanese automaker is looking into alternative fuels and has just received a special V8 conversion from Yamaha that enables the engine to combust hydrogen instead of petrol.
The engine in question is a 5.0-liter naturally aspirated eight-cylinder that normally powers the Lexus RC F with 477 PS (470 hp / 351 kW) and 535 Nm (395 lb-ft) of torque. The switch to hydrogen drops power by 22 PS (22 hp / 16 kW), but raises torque by 5 Nm (3.7 lb-ft).
Modifications included a new cylinder head assembly, a different intake system, some new injection components and more. Once rebuilt, the engine became environmentally clean, producing pure water instead of exhaust. Despite running on an entirely different kind of fuel, it is said to retain most of the typical V8 traits, including the characteristic sound.
This is not the first time Toyota looks into the viability of hydrogen ICE cars. The Japanese automaker has been testing similar powertrains on racing prototypes before, like the one shown in the video here. The Corolla Sport participated in a 24-hour endurance race and needed to refuel about twice as often as a normal ICE car.