Skip advert
Advertisement

Toyota GR H2 Racing Concept: track bred hydrogen hypercar revealed at Le Mans 2023

Toyota looks ahead to a new era of hydrogen endurance racers with the GR H2 concept car

Toyota GR has revealed a hydrogen-powered endurance racer, called the GR H2 Racing Concept ahead of the 2023 Le Mans 24h race.

The new concept race car arrives in the wake of the Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO) announcing that it would allow hydrogen-powered and hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles to compete in the FIA World Endurance Championship from 2026. 

Advertisement - Article continues below

The Toyota GR H2 takes clear inspiration from the brand’s successful Le Mans winning TS050 and GR010 racers, and reveals a plethora of underbody aero along with a much narrower cockpit. Toyota hasn’t revealed details of the powertrain of the GR H2, but we can expect that in time for 2026, the hydrogen powertrain will be capable enough to tackle the world’s gruelling endurance tracks. 

Toyota has already established itself in racing with hydrogen fuels by using the powertrain technology in a Corolla for Japan’s Super Taikyu Series, as well as in an endurance race held in Thailand.

With hydrogen powered road cars like the Mirai, Toyota has pioneered the fuel’s use for some time, while displaying consistent hesitancy towards full electrification. The GR H2 would, however, be the first time such technology would ever be taken to a popular, worldwide motorsport. 

Toyota says it also wants to develop ‘better motorsport-bred cars’ while also working to contribute towards a ‘carbon neutral society’ - suggesting that the GR H2 will be the brand’s contribution to a more sustainable form of racing. From there, the technology could well trickle down into future road car projects. 

Toyota’s racing department is no stranger to endurance racing as it has already won Le Mans five times since 2018 with hybrid cars. Even before the hybrid era, Toyota has put up a fight many times against the likes of Porsche and Jaguar during the era of Group C - including the 90C-V coming sixth in 1990 - and continued to achieve some podium finishes later in the 1990s. Toyota famously struggled to achieve an overall victory until it finally did it in 2018. 

The GR H2 will be on display for anyone attending Le Mans 2023 to view. It can be seen at the ACO’s H2 village at the Circuit de la Sarthe.

Now read our preview of Le Mans 2023...

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Toyota cartoon hints at new MR2, Celica and Supra plus next-generation GR86
Toyota sports car teaser

Toyota cartoon hints at new MR2, Celica and Supra plus next-generation GR86

The electric sports car market could be about to gain some fresh competition
News
1 Nov 2024
Best fun cars: The most entertaining picks from £3,000 to brand new
Best fun cars - header image

Best fun cars: The most entertaining picks from £3,000 to brand new

These fun cars can put a smile on your face, as well as get you from A to B
Best cars & vans
31 Oct 2024
Toyota’s hydrogen car plan: why there should be alternatives to battery electric cars
Hydrogen fuel-cell Toyota Hilux pick-up truck

Toyota’s hydrogen car plan: why there should be alternatives to battery electric cars

We take a deep dive into Toyota’s ‘multi-path’ strategy, which focuses on making hydrogen fuel-cell technology a viable alternative to battery EVs
Features
7 Sep 2024
Toyota Proace Max van goes on sale from £41,580
Toyota Proace Max

Toyota Proace Max van goes on sale from £41,580

Toyota’s largest van is now available to order in a multitude of bodystyles
News
2 Aug 2024

Most Popular

Hot Land Rover Defender Octa in high demand with close to 3,000 orders at £150,000 each
Land Rover Defender Octa - front action

Hot Land Rover Defender Octa in high demand with close to 3,000 orders at £150,000 each

Buyers aren’t being deterred by the hefty asking price for the most powerful Defender yet, with 2,900 already signing up worldwide
News
12 Nov 2024
Mazda CX-60 is now more comfortable thanks to 2025 updates
Mazda CX-60 - front 3/4 static

Mazda CX-60 is now more comfortable thanks to 2025 updates

Mazda’s SUV has picked up some worthy trim and technical updates
News
13 Nov 2024
Dacia Duster vs MG ZS: which is the best budget hybrid SUV?
Dacia Duster and MG ZS - front tracking

Dacia Duster vs MG ZS: which is the best budget hybrid SUV?

The new Dacia Duster and MG ZS are the UK’s cheapest small SUVs. Which makes more sense in hybrid form?
Car group tests
13 Nov 2024