As successful as the Toyota Corolla Cross is, it is admittedly uninteresting from a petrolhead’s perspective. However, Toyota has decided to revamp its image with the help of an alternative fuel source that isn’t electricity.

Just as the title mentioned, under the hood of this Corolla Cross H2 Concept is a hydrogen-fuelled combustion engine that powers the GR Corolla H2 at the 2022 Super Taikyu endurance races in Japan.

The engine itself is a 1.6-litre 3-cylinder turbo engine with high-pressure hydrogen direct injection technology and all those H2 is stored in a hydrogen tank that was itself derived from the Mirai. As such, the Corolla Cross H2 is a feasible hydrogen-powered crossover that can sit 5 passengers along with their luggage.

By comparison, the Mirai is an electric car that generates its own electricity by combining hydrogen and oxygen in its fuel cell stacks. The Corolla Cross H2's goal is to commercialize a retrofit kit that can be installed on any car, making it possible to transform the world's fleet into zero emission vehicles overnight

Also read: Listen to this hydrogen-burning engine driven Toyota Corolla race car vroom by

Besides the GR Corolla race car and the unassuming Corolla Cross, the hydrogen-powered 3-pot is also used on a GR Yaris H2 that was put through its paces in a demonstration run at the 2022 WRC Ypres Rally in Belgium.

Also read: Of course Toyota’s fueling the GR Yaris with hydrogen

There are no performance figures mentioned but, in the interior, this hydrogen-powered Corolla Cross is paired with a 6-speed manual transmission. Joy to those who want to preserve the art of rowing your own gears.

Also read: Here's why the manual transmission still matters

The only figures mentioned by Toyota are in percentages. Over the course of one Super Taikyu season, the team were able to increase hydrogen combustion power by 24% and torque by 33%. At the same time, range is extended by around 30% and refuelling time is reduced from approximately 5 minutes to around 1.5 minutes.

In simpler terms, the GR Corolla H2 race car is as fast as its conventional petrol-powered competitors while the technology learned could see lesser times waiting for it to be filled up.

Also read: To make ever better, cleaner cars, Toyota raced and broke this hydrogen-powered Corolla for 24 hours

The Corolla Cross H2 Concept will undergo winter testing in Japan and Toyota says that it is around 40% along the path towards the commercialisation of models like it. So while there is still a long way to go before hydrogen road cars become as common as EVs, the opportunity in motorsports is more feasible.

Also read: Malaysia looks to hydrogen to reduce greenhouse gases by 45% but is it just all talk?