Toyota Partners With H24EVO on Aerodynamics, Cooling for Hydrogen Racer
Pecohub Mission H24 and Toyota Racing have expanded their partnership with the Japanese manufacturer now supplying a hydrogen combustion engine for use within the H24EVO concept car.
The H24EVO is designed to demonstrate how hydrogen can be used to power prototype machines of the future, with the FIA World Endurance Championship due to feature a class for hydrogen cars from 2030.
Toyota and Mission H24 have already worked together on cooling and aerodynamics, but the H24EVO will now be powered by a 3.5-liter V6 powertrain developed specifically for motorsport by Toyota instead of a fuel cell-based powertrain as previously.
The brand has been one of the most enthusiastic of all the established sports car manufacturers about the prospect of hydrogen in motorsport and has developed the TR LH2 Racing Prototype using expertise gained from its Super Taikyu program in Japan.
The H24EVO, first revealed at Le Mans two years ago but powered by gaseous hydrogen before a later switch to liquid hydrogen, is the latest result of a partnership between the Automobile Club de l’Ouest and H24 Project.
“This new collaboration between MissionH24 and Toyota Racing reflects our respective commitments, shared by all MissionH24’s partners, to successfully achieve the energy transition,” said ACO President Pierre Fillon.
“Hydrogen is one of the solutions for decarbonizing mobility.
“This pioneering program involves various phases. We stated this from the very beginning, hence the name ‘MissionH24’, because while we know our goal, we do not necessarily know every step we will need to take to get there.
“Gaseous and liquid hydrogen, fuel cells, and engines all offer opportunities for hydrogen storage and utilization.
“Toyota’s support demonstrates MissionH24’s determination and ambition.”
Kazuki Nakajima, vice-chairman of Toyota Racing, added: “I would like to thank MissionH24 for their trust and expectation for Toyota Racing’s hydrogen combustion engine.
“This is an important milestone for Toyota Racing since our mission is the continuous pursuit of the possibilities for combustion engine development, including hydrogen technology, and to deliver its potential to a wider range of stakeholders.”
Mission H24 co-president Jean-Michel Bouresche described Toyota’s involvement as sending a “powerful signal to all stakeholders in the hydrogen sector and to all MissionH24 partners.”
Work has already begun on incorporating Toyota’s engine into the H24EVO with this including how it integrates with the chassis and gearbox.
The current plan is for the newest iteration of the car to be unveiled to the public at Le Mans in 2028, with testing due to begin in February or March of that year.
