The hydrogen-powered concept is based on the GR Yaris Rally2 racer and will be tested in Finland
- Toyota revealed the GR Yaris Rally2 H2 Concept during Rally Finland’s opening events.
- The concept shares its chassis and wide bodykit with the gas-powered GR Yaris Rally2.
- Liquid hydrogen fuel delivers near-zero emissions, while retaining traditional ICE sounds.
Exploring cleaner alternatives to traditional engines, Toyota continues to develop a range of powertrain solutions that include more than just hybrids, plug-in hybrids, battery-electric vehicles, and hydrogen fuel cells. One of its more unconventional efforts involves a modified combustion engine that runs on liquid hydrogen, which has now found its way into a full-fledged rally car.
The GR Yaris H2 Concept has been built to meet WRC’s Rally2 class regulations. It features the same wide bodykit and prominent aerodynamic components as the gas-powered Rally2 variant, along with a similar chassis setup.
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While it looks more restrained than the top-tier Rally1 car in the WRC, the design still carries a strong motorsport presence. Visually, the hydrogen-powered concept is marked out by a unique livery and vented rear panels in place of traditional side windows.
Hydrogen Power, Rally Style
The development of the hydrogen-powered rally car took place at Toyota’s TGR-WRT headquarters in Jyväskylä, Finland, with testing conducted on both gravel and tarmac. The company hasn’t disclosed full technical details, though it’s likely powered by a modified version of the existing turbocharged 1.6-liter three-cylinder engine.
Using liquid hydrogen as fuel results in “near-zero emissions” from the tailpipe. At the same time, the engine retains “the sounds and sensations” of an ICE-powered vehicle, which are very popular among rally enthusiasts. For these reasons, Toyota believes that hydrogen has the potential to become “one of the options for the future of motorsport in a carbon neutral society”.
Toyota
The GR Yaris Rally2 H2 Concept is set to make its dynamic debut at Rally Finland, tackling the Harju stage on Thursday and Friday. Behind the wheel will be the four-time World Rally Champion Juha Kankkunen, who currently serves as Deputy Team Principal at TGR-WRT.
After its run on mixed surfaces, the car will be displayed in the service park alongside two other hydrogen-powered Toyota models: the production-ready Mirai (FCEV) and a hydrogen-fueled Tundra prototype.
Toyota And Hydrogen Engines
Toyota is one of the pioneers when it comes to hydrogen tech, although research was initially limited to the more traditional fuel cell powertrains (FCEV), currently found in the production-spec Mirai and Crown Sedan. Still, its engineers have also used liquid hydrogen as fuel for combustion engines, testing their limits in various motorsport activities.
More: This Experimental Toyota GR Yaris’ 3-Cylinder Engine Runs On Hydrogen
The first Toyota with a hydrogen combustion engine was a modified GR Corolla that has been competing in the Super Taikyu series in Japan since 2021. A similar turbocharged 1.6-liter engine was fitted to the experimental GR Yaris H2 Concept in late 2021 and in the Corolla Cross Hydrogen Concept in late 2022.
Furthermore, Toyota has built prototypes of the Tundra pickup and the HiAce van with hydrogen-fueled V6 engines for testing on public roads. Finally, the GR LH2 Racing Concept combines a hydrogen engine with a hybrid setup, borrowing its chassis from the GR010 Le Mans Hypercar.
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