--- title: "Toyota Shows Off Hydrogen-Burning Le Mans Prototype Race Car" description: "Toyota just showed off a hydrogen-burning Le Mans prototype race car ahead of the 2023 24 Hours of Le Mans." date: "2023-06-10" modified: "2023-06-10" authors: - name: "Nico DeMattia" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/nico-demattia" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/toyota-shows-off-hydrogen-burning-le-mans-prototype-race-car" categories: - "News" - "Racing" --- # Toyota Shows Off Hydrogen-Burning Le Mans Prototype Race Car ![]() Toyota has been one of hydrogen fuel's biggest proponents for years, advocating its use not only in road cars but race cars as well. So when the Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO)—the governing body behind the 24 Hours of[ Le Mans]()—announced that it will allow hydrogen-powered cars starting in 2026, [Toyota ]()immediately got to work. The result of that work was just unveiled during a press conference ahead of this year's Le Mans race: a hydrogen-burning Le Mans prototype race car. Currently called the Toyota GR H2 Racing Concept, this hydrogen race car isn't like your typical hydrogen fuel cell road cars. Rather than using an electric motor, that gets power generated from a hydrogen fuel cell, the GR H2 Racing Concept actually burns liquid hydrogen in a combustion engine. It's a similar what's used in the hydrogen-engine Toyota [GR Corolla ]()that's been racing in the Super Taikyu Series since 2021. Toyota didn't provide any specs for the H2 racer, so there's no word on power, efficiency, or weight. The only figures Toyota provided were size—it's 5,100 mm long and 2,050 mm—and the fact that it's a hydrogen hybrid. So it uses a liquid hydrogen combustion engine with hybrid assist. ![]() ![]() ![]() According to Toyota Chairman, Akio Toyoda, the reason for investing in hydrogen combustion engine technology, rather than just electrification, is to recreate the excitement of internal combustion without the emissions. "The sound, the torque, the dynamics, it's all there. Not only are we reimagining the race car, we're doing it with zero emissions," Toyoda said of the GR H2 Racing Concept. "Here's to the next 100 years of checkered flags!" It's fitting that Toyota announced a massive change in engine technology for Le Mans this year, as it's the iconic race's 100 year anniversary. While it's unclear if hydrogen engines will become viable alternatives to gasoline engines, it's certainly an idea I think many car enthusiasts can get behind. It's still internal combustion, still makes the noises we know and love, and still has quick refueling times, which fits our current infrastructure. Motorsport has long been one of the biggest drivers of automotive technology (no pun intended), so if hydrogen engines are going to take off, races like Le Mans are where it's going to start. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMq7MiwVUBk&t=115s *Got tips? Send 'em to tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Nico is a writer and reviewer from New Jersey who probably thinks he’s a lot funnier than he actually is. His love of cars began when he was just a kid playing Gran Turismo 3, grinding out enough race wins with a Mazda Miata to save up for an in-game RUF 911. That passion for small, lightweight sports cars drove his desire to learn more about the industry, get his hands on as many cars as he could, and bring those experiences to life on the page. He cut his teeth writing about BMWs, Volkswagens, and Audis, mostly, and has owned far too many of each. He’s on his fourth 3 Series sedan, but all of his old, cheap German cars have forced him to learn more about car maintenance than his mechanical capability can handle. Too many late nights have been spent scrambling to get a car running by morning so he could get to work. For some reason, he never seems to learn that old Bimmers probably aren’t the best daily drivers. But he loves more than just old German cars. He’ll gladly drive and discuss anything with four (or even three) wheels. Cars aren’t his only passions, though. Nico is also a big nerd and loves movies, video games, comic books, and cares far too much about the New York Giants. So don’t be surprised if you see football references or dumb, obscure movie quotes in any of his car reviews. ### Author social links [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()