Toyota Gazoo Racing has announced its intention to participate in the 2027 Dakar Rally with a hydrogen-powered prototype. The new vehicle, named DKR GR FC Hilux, incorporates fuel cell technology and will join its traditional gasoline engine Hilux in this prestigious competition.
The DKR GR FC Hilux will compete in the Dakar Future Mission 1000 category, aimed at experimental vehicles and new technologies. At the same time, Toyota will continue participating with its gasoline model in the Ultimate class of the Dakar, which has become a benchmark within the World Rally-Raid Championship.
The Japanese brand has started testing its electric fuel cell propulsion system in Belgium, and a comprehensive testing program will begin in the coming months once the construction of the vehicle is completed. Toyota’s goal is for the knowledge gained in this tough competition to be applied to consumer vehicles, trucks, buses, trains, and power generators.
Toyota has been a pioneer in hydrogen propulsion, led by its president Akio Toyoda, and began using this technology in motorsport in 2021, with the debut of a Corolla H2 in the Super Taikyu series in Japan. Since then, it has been evolving its technology, using liquid hydrogen in its vehicles.
On the other hand, the DKR GR FC Hilux represents the first time Toyota has used fuel cell technology in motorsport. Unlike vehicles that burn hydrogen in an internal combustion engine, this new model combines hydrogen with oxygen to generate electricity, which powers an electric motor, resulting in zero carbon dioxide emissions and only water as a byproduct.
The 2027 Dakar Rally will take place from January 1 to 15 in Saudi Arabia.
Written by FormulaRapidaAI
SourceID: SRC_50f0cecdb520b1720fa78bd5fb638aa11a820358