Latest news with #KazukiNakajima
Miami Herald
18 hours ago
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
Toyota's New GR Hypercar Concept Is a Hydrogen-Fueled Spectacle
Toyota has unveiled its GR LH2 Racing Concept featuring a hydrogen engine paired with a hybrid system at the Circuit de la Sarthe days ahead of the iconic 24 Hours of Le Mans race. The GR LH2 is designed to advance the development of hydrogen tech in motorsports and mark the 40th anniversary of the automaker's first Le Mans run. According to Toyota, the GR LH2 is based on its GR010 Hybrid Hypercar used in the World Endurance Championship, which includes the 24 Hours of Le Mans as its flagship event. While Toyota didn't provide many details on the concept's powertrain or hydrogen system, they were built at Japan's Higashi-Fuji Technical Centre. The chassis, the same as in the GR010, was manufactured at Toyota's Gazoo Racing facility in Cologne, Germany. Toyota's GR LH2 is the GR H2 Concept's successor, and distinguishes itself from its predecessor with new bodywork, such as remodeled side intakes, a taller rear wing, and a larger fin. The LH2 also differs from the GR H2 with its striking white-and-blue livery and smaller front LED lights, but its greenhouse resembles the previous concept. Official measurements for the LH2 are 5100mm (200.7 inches) in length and 2050mm (80.7 inches) in width. "Toyota has been the pioneer for hydrogen combustion engine technology since 2021 in Super Taikyu racing in Japan," said Kazuki Nakajima, former F1 driver and Team Director and Vice Chairman of Toyota Gazoo Racing Europe. Toyota's sister team, Rookie Racing, participated in the Japanese Super Taikyu series in 2021 with a gaseous hydrogen-engine Corolla, before switching to a liquid hydrogen-powered car in 2023. In 2022, Toyota displayed the potential of hydrogen engines in rally racing with a GR Yaris H2 at the Ypres Rally in the FIA World Rally Championship. A year later, the hydrogen-engine Corolla completed a demonstration lap at Circuit de la Sarthe, and the GR H2 Racing Concept was showcased to preview a potential hydrogen category at Le Mans. The GR H2 was a static concept, but the GR LH2 is a running test car. Nakajima noted that Toyota has been pushing to introduce hydrogen as energy while maintaining a racing engine's noise, sensation, and vibration. Toyota Gazoo Racing endurance driver and team principal Kamui Kobayashi said Toyota's performance division made the GR LH2 to highlight future carbon-neutral possibilities while enhancing its motorsport presence. Toyota's decision to limit information released on the new GR LH2 could signal noteworthy progress on its hydrogen initiatives. Since 2021, Toyota has continually built on its hydrogen innovation in motorsport, and the GR LH2's ability to function as a running test car is another significant step. Kamui Kobayashi, Nyck Devries, and Mike Conway will compete for Toyota Gazoo Racing at the 24 Hours of Le Mans' Hypercar event from June 14 to 15. Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Express Tribune
a day ago
- Automotive
- Express Tribune
Toyota Hydrogen car revealed: The GR LH2 racing concept unveiled right before 24 Hours of Le Mans
Toyota has unveiled a new hydrogen-powered racing prototype, the GR LH2 Racing Concept, at the Circuit de la Sarthe, just days before the 24 Hours of Le Mans. This marks a significant step in the automaker's push to explore hydrogen combustion engine technology in motorsport. The GR LH2 Racing Concept is based on the chassis of Toyota's GR010 Hybrid Hypercar, which is currently raced in the World Endurance Championship (WEC). Toyota's latest prototype is part of the brand's ongoing efforts to develop hydrogen racing technologies, expanding the potential applications of hydrogen combustion engines. Kazuki Nakajima, vice chairman of Toyota's WEC team and a three-time winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, stated that the company's primary aim is to 'expand the possibilities of hydrogen combustion engine technology.' Nakajima emphasised that Toyota is not only focused on testing the combustion engine but also on learning more about the infrastructure and fueling system required to support hydrogen-powered racing. Details regarding the hydrogen system and powertrain were not fully disclosed, though Toyota confirmed that both were developed at the company's Higashi-Fuji Technical Centre in Japan. The chassis itself was built at Toyota's Gazoo Racing facility in Cologne, Germany. While Toyota did not confirm when the hydrogen-powered prototype will officially race, Nakajima suggested that the debut is not far off. This unveiling is part of a broader strategy to develop hydrogen-powered vehicles in motorsport. Although plans to introduce hydrogen-powered cars to the World Endurance Championship by 2024 have been delayed, the FIA's recent approval of new liquid hydrogen storage rules may bring these plans closer to fruition, with an anticipated target year of 2028. As the hydrogen racing technology continues to evolve, Toyota's GR LH2 Racing Concept could represent a key milestone in the automotive industry's shift toward sustainable fuel alternatives.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Toyota Shows Off Wicked-Looking Hydrogen-Fueled Race Car at Le Mans
debuted a hydrogen-fueled racing prototype at the Circuit de la Sarthe ahead of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Toyota calls it the GR LH2 Racing Concept, and it's based on the GR010 Hybrid Hypercar that the brand races in the World Endurance Championship (WEC). Kazuki Nakajima, the vice chairman of Toyota's WEC team, said that Toyota's main goal is to "expand the possibilities of hydrogen combustion engine technology." As part of its ongoing push to develop hydrogen racing technologies, Toyota unveiled a new hydrogen-fueled racing prototype at the Circuit de la Sarthe ahead of this weekend's running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Toyota is calling it the GR LH2 Racing Concept, and it's built from the same chassis as the GR010 Hybrid Hypercar that the brand races in WEC. Sadly, the automaker didn't feel the need to share any details on the hydrogen system or the powertrain, outside of confirming that they were built at Toyota's Higashi-Fuji Technical Centre in Japan. The LH2 chassis itself was built at Toyota's Gazoo Racing facility in Cologne, Germany. According to a report from Kazuki Nakajima, the vice chairman of Toyota's WEC team and a three-time winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, said that Toyota's goal is to "test not only the combustion engine but to learn a lot about the infrastructure and fueling system." "Our main target right now is to expand the possibilities of hydrogen combustion engine technology," Nakajima said. While he wouldn't confirm exactly when the LH2 will hit the track for real, Nakajima told the outlet that it isn't far off. Previous plans for the World Endurance Championship to add hydrogen racers to the field as early as 2024 have been pushed back to at least 2028. With the FIA approving new rules for liquid hydrogen storage during this week's FIA Motor Sport World Council in Macau, that could now become a reality. You Might Also Like Car and Driver's 10 Best Cars through the Decades How to Buy or Lease a New Car Lightning Lap Legends: Chevrolet Camaro vs. Ford Mustang!
