Hydrogen-Powered 450 HP Lexus 5.0-Liter V8 Is in Development
Yamaha and Toyota are teaming up to clean up the Lexus 5.0-liter V8 and perhaps keep it alive for generations to come.
It’s no secret that the Lexus 5.0-liter V8 is one of the very last naturally-aspirated V8s left in the automotive world, a sad reality as more and more automakers are making the switch to smaller powerplants with forced-induction – Lexus included. But the luxury brand, along with its parent automaker Toyota, have maintained for years that each believes hydrogen power can save the internal combustion engine and serve as an alternative to EVs. Now, Toyota, Lexus, and Yamaha are putting their money where their proverbial mouths are with a hydrogen-powered version of the Lexus 5.0-liter V8.
In recent months, Toyota has rolled out a pair of hydrogen-powered vehicles – the Corolla racer destined for Japan’s Super Taikyu series, as well as its GR Yaris prototype with the same powertrain. Now, it has taken its venerable N/A V8 from the RC F and blessed it with clean hydrogen power, enabling it to produce a healthy 449 horsepower and 398 pound-feet of torque, which is on par with the ratings of the gas-powered version present in the hardcore RC F Track Edition.
“Hydrogen engines house the potential to be carbon neutral while keeping our passion for the internal combustion engine alive at the same time,” said Yamaha president Yoshihiro Hidaka. “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.”
Yamaha – which also helped Lexus develop the beloved 4.8-liter V10 present in the LFA – first began working on a hydrogen-powered engine five years ago, and maintains that it’s a viable solution to slashing pollution without going electric. “Hydrogen engines have an innately friendly feel that makes them easy to use even without resorting to electronic driving aids,” said Yamaha engineer Takeshi Yamada. “Everyone who came to test drive the prototype car would start off somewhat skeptical but emerged from the car with a big smile on their face at the end.”
The prospect of retaining the V8 noises we love in a package that delivers nearly zero tailpipe emissions certainly seems like a pipe dream, particularly as most automakers – including Toyota and Lexus – move swiftly toward an all-electric lineup. Luckily, it seems that not everyone has given up on the ICE engine, however, and hydrogen may just be the key to keeping it alive for generations to come.
Photos: Yamaha, Lexus
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