NEWS

Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 H2 Concept to debut at Rally Finland

The Rally Finland event, set to take place from July 31 to August 3, will witness the debut of a vehicle specially developed by Toyota Gazoo Racing and powered by hydrogen.

The rally vehicle in question is the Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 H2 Concept, built on the proven GR Yaris Rally2 chassis.

Developed at the TGR-WRT headquarters located in Jyväskylä, Finland, the true capabilities of this hydrogen rally vehicle have also been tested on roads around the area, including the gravel surfaces typically used in Rally Finland.

For its inaugural appearance, the GR Yaris Rally2 H2 Concept will be driven by four-time world champion Juha Kankkunen, who is also the deputy principal of the TGR-WRT team.

The combination of Toyota and hydrogen engines is not unfamiliar in the world of motorsports.

Hydrogen-powered internal combustion engines were used in racing through the Corolla vehicle in 2021, during the Super Taikyu endurance racing series.

This technology was showcased on the European rally stage for the first time in 2022 with the experimental GR Yaris H2 at the FIA World Rally Championship round in Belgium, driven by Akio Toyoda and Juha Kankkunen.

Unlike the GR Yaris Rally1, which uses a four-cylinder inline engine, the GR Yaris Rally2 uses the same engine found in the production version of the GR Yaris, which is the G16E-GTS 1.6-liter turbo unit.

However, the fuel supply and injection systems have been modified to accommodate hydrogen fuel.

More importantly, this engine still manages to deliver performance, as well as the sound and sensations that rally fans crave, all while achieving near-zero emissions—a feat that is challenging for any high-performance EV to provide.