Electric Cars

In a groundbreaking move for environmentally conscious motorsport, four-time World Rally Championship (WRC) victor Juha Kankkunen is set to pilot Toyota's innovative hydrogen-fueled rally car at the upcoming Rally Finland. This highly anticipated appearance of the GR Yaris Rally2 H2 Concept signals a pivotal moment for sustainable racing, underscoring the automotive giant's unwavering dedication to pioneering zero-emission technologies within the high-octane world of rallying.

Toyota has been at the forefront of hydrogen technology development in motorsports for several years. Their commitment to a carbon-neutral future has seen significant investment in research and practical application. The GR Yaris Rally2 H2 Concept, which will be showcased on the Harju stage of Rally Finland from July 31 to August 3, is the culmination of rigorous development at the Toyota WRC team's base in Jyvaskyla, Finland. This advanced vehicle is built upon the foundation of Toyota's existing GR Yaris Rally2 car, but critically, it integrates an internal combustion engine that runs on compressed hydrogen, representing a leap forward in green automotive engineering.

This isn't Toyota's first foray into hydrogen-powered rally cars. Back in 2022, during the Ypres Rally Belgium, Kankkunen himself, alongside then-Toyota president Akio Toyoda, took an earlier version of the hydrogen concept for a spin. Since that initial demonstration, the project has undergone substantial refinement, leading to the more sophisticated and robust iteration poised for its debut in Finland. Toyota's long-term vision extends beyond rally; the company has actively participated in the Super Taikyu series in Japan with hydrogen-powered vehicles since 2021, with prominent figures like WRC team principal Jari-Matti Latvala contributing to its testing and development.

Further demonstrating its broad commitment to hydrogen fuel, Toyota recently unveiled a prototype hydrogen-powered test car last month, with an eye towards competing at the prestigious Le Mans 24 Hours. This vehicle, the GR LH2, was meticulously constructed at Toyota Gazoo Racing Europe in Cologne, Germany, utilizing a chassis derived from their GR010 Hybrid Le Mans Hypercar. While specific details regarding the engine and hybrid system, developed at Toyota's Higashi-Fuji Technical Centre in Japan, remain under wraps, the continued unveiling of such advanced prototypes highlights a clear strategic direction.

Beyond the hydrogen car's exciting debut, Rally Finland will also feature Toyota WRC team principal Jari-Matti Latvala competing in a standard GR Yaris Rally2. Latvala, an 18-time WRC rally winner, is no stranger to the Finnish terrain, having secured a second-place finish in the WRC2 class and sixth overall in last year's event. Expressing his enthusiasm, Latvala remarked, “I’m really excited to make my 20th Rally Finland start, driving the GR Yaris Rally2 together with Janni Hussi. It’s Finnish rally tradition to mark a big birthday by entering our home event, so thank you Akio Toyoda for allowing me to realise this special achievement in the year I turned 40. It’s also a chance for me to stay sharp at the wheel of a modern rally car as I provide my feedback into the development of this and other cars for TGR-WRT.”

The convergence of rallying legends and cutting-edge sustainable technology at Rally Finland serves as a compelling testament to the evolving landscape of motorsport, where environmental responsibility increasingly shares the stage with high-performance competition. Toyota's consistent pursuit of hydrogen solutions underscores a promising pathway for the future of racing, aligning sporting ambition with global sustainability goals.

Toyota is accelerating its commitment to sustainable motorsport with the introduction of its cutting-edge hydrogen-powered rally vehicle. This pioneering GR Yaris Rally2 H2 Concept is slated to make its first public appearance at the highly anticipated Rally Finland event, featuring rally icon Juha Kankkunen as its driver. The debut on the Harju stage during the initial two days of the rally, scheduled from July 31 to August 3, marks a significant step forward in alternative fuel racing.

The innovative rally car, developed at Toyota's WRC team headquarters in Jyvaskyla, Finland, represents an evolution of their successful GR Yaris Rally2 model. However, this version is uniquely propelled by an internal combustion engine that runs on compressed hydrogen, showcasing a promising avenue for environmentally conscious motorsport. This isn't Toyota's first foray into hydrogen; the manufacturer previously demonstrated similar technology at the 2022 Ypres Rally Belgium, with Kankkunen and then-Toyota president Akio Toyoda at the helm. Since then, the company has refined the concept, leading to the advanced iteration set for Finland.

Toyota's dedication to hydrogen power extends beyond rallying, forming a core part of its vision for a carbon-neutral future in motorsport. The Japanese automotive giant has actively campaigned hydrogen-fueled vehicles since 2021, including a modified Corolla in Japan's Super Taikyu series, where current Toyota WRC team principal Jari-Matti Latvala was among the drivers. Furthermore, Toyota recently showcased a hydrogen-powered prototype test car at the Le Mans 24 Hours, signaling its long-term ambitions to integrate this clean energy source into endurance racing. Alongside Kankkunen's demonstration, Latvala will also compete in his home event in a conventional GR Yaris Rally2, continuing to provide valuable feedback for Toyota Gazoo Racing World Rally Team's vehicle development.

Toyota's proactive embrace of hydrogen technology in high-performance racing exemplifies a forward-thinking approach to environmental responsibility within competitive sports. By pushing the boundaries of what's possible with clean energy, they inspire innovation across the automotive industry and demonstrate that peak performance and ecological mindfulness can coexist. This commitment paves the way for a more sustainable and exciting future for motorsport, proving that dedication to progress and a cleaner planet can lead to remarkable achievements.