Key facts
- Toyota's hydrogen fuel cell Hilux pickup truck will compete in the Dakar Rally.
- The vehicle uses Toyota's 2.5-generation fuel cell system.
- It features custom hydrogen storage tanks and specialized thermal management systems.
Toyota Motor will enter a hydrogen fuel cell version of its Hilux pickup truck in the Dakar Rally next January, aiming to test its latest technology in extreme conditions. The vehicle, named the Toyota DKR GR FC Hilux, replaces the standard twin-turbo petrol V6 with a zero-emission hydrogen powertrain.
The project is a collaboration between Toyota Gazoo Racing, Jameel Motorsport, DENSO, Toyo Tires, and IAV. The truck is currently undergoing development and testing at Toyota's European Research and Development facility in Zaventem, Belgium. Engineers are fine-tuning thermal management systems to cope with desert conditions.
The hydrogen truck features Toyota's 2.5-generation fuel cell system and custom hydrogen storage tanks designed to withstand extreme impacts. Specialized multi-stage filtration and cooling systems are in place to protect the fuel cell stack from dust and overheating, ensuring optimal operating temperatures.