Toyota debuts hydrogen Corolla race car in a bid to shift to green energy

In a sprawling circuit near Mount Fuji, a humble Corolla running on liquid hydrogen has made its racing debut, part of a move to bring the futuristic technology into the racing world and to demonstrate Toyota's resolve to develop green vehicles.

Toyota Chairman Akio Toyoda, resplendent in a fire-resistant racing uniform, was all smiles as he prepared to buzz around the circuit in the hydrogen-fuelled Corolla.

This is a world first for a liquid hydrogen car to race. We hope it will offer another option in the fight against global warming.

To bring everyone smiles, I want to go one lap, even one second, more, said Toyoda, a former CEO of Toyota, grandson of the automaker's founder and a licensed race driver himself.

The hydrogen Corolla race car won't be turning up at your dealer anytime soon. The Super Taikyu 24-hour race at Fuji Speedway was just a test for the technology, Toyota officials said.

Unlike electric vehicles, it has a combustion engine, but it burns liquid hydrogen ins