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Toyota Presents Hydrogen Prototype Concept

Japanese manufacturer presents hydrogen concept car; strong interest in future WEC class…

Photo: Davey Euwema

Toyota has revealed a hydrogen prototype racing concept and expressed strong interest in the FIA World Endurance Championship’s future hydrogen class.

The Toyota GR H2 Racing Concept was unveiled on Friday in the Hydrogen Village at Le Mans, at the same time as an address during the ACO press conference from Toyota Motor Corporation president Akio Toyoda.

Toyota is the first major car manufacturer to present a concept angled towards the WEC’s hydrogen category which is currently set to make its debut in the 2026 season.

The Japanese manufacturer has built cars to the LMP1 and LMH regulations but is now looking towards the championship’s vision for increased sustainability through hydrogen power.

“One of the major benefits of hydrogen fuel over gas is just how light it is, which as we all know is one of the biggest advantages you can have in a racecar,”  Toyoda said.

“In fact, two weeks ago, I drove a Corolla fuelled by liquid hydrogen at the Super TEC 24-hour race at Fuji Speedway.

“This is a world first for a racecar and not only did we successfully finish the race, we learned a lot.

“Personally, my goal is to achieve carbon neutrality in motorsports without sacrificing in terms of the performance or excitement.

“We wouldn’t be investing in this technology if I didn’t think we could win with it. I mean, I do have my priorities after all.

“I really want to encourage our competitors to consider hydrogen, not just because it is good for the environment but because it’s really an exciting option.

“The sound and torque, the dynamics: it’s all there. In the end, when it comes to carbon neutrality in motorsports, we need to be pursuing every option.”

Technical specifications of the Toyota GR H2 Racing Concept are limited, but it includes a hydrogen engine and hybrid system, with a total overall vehicle length of 5,100 mm and a length of 2,050 mm.

According to Toyota, the concept car has been developed with “competition in its sights” and that its unveiling was “spurred” by the ACO recently announcing that internal combustion engine hydrogen vehicles can compete alongside fuel-cell electric cars.

“From battery electric vehicles and beyond, and that’s why at Toyota hydrogen is just one of the many pathways that we are taking,” Toyoda added.

“We are grateful to the ACO and Le Mans for providing this unique opportunity to share our effort with the world and we look forward to our new GR H2 racecar in duel in the new Le Mans hydrogen class in the future.”

This article was updated at 16:00 CEST on Monday, June 12. A previous version contained an error about the Toyota GR H2 Racing Concept completing a demonstration lap before the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Daniel Lloyd is a UK-based reporter for Sportscar365, covering the FIA World Endurance Championship, Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS and the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, among other series.

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