With just a few days to go before it takes part in the 2025 Le Mans 24 Hours race, Toyota Gazoo Racing has pulled the covers off the GR LH2 Racing Concept. This test car, powered by liquid hydrogen, marks another step forward in Toyota's mission to advance hydrogen technology through motorsport. It was unveiled at the Circuit de la Sarthe and is being exhibited at the H2 Village during this year's race week. The car is based on the GR010 Hybrid Hypercar, which competes in the FIA World Endurance Championship, including this year's Le Mans race.
Why is Toyota pursuing hydrogen technology in racing?
Toyota sees motorsport as a testing ground for advancing its technologies with the ultimate goal of achieving carbon neutrality. The company has been developing hydrogen engines through various racing programmes, most notably in Japan's Super Taikyu series. There, a hydrogen-powered Corolla initially used gaseous hydrogen in 2021, before switching to liquid hydrogen in 2023.
The organisation behind Le Mans - Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO) - has previously stated that it hopes to have a category dedicated to hydrogen-fuelled prototypes in place by 2028, so no doubt Toyota wants to be ready for that, too.
Has Toyota demonstrated hydrogen cars before at Le Mans?
Yes. In 2023, a hydrogen-fuelled Corolla completed a demonstration lap at Le Mans. Toyota also presented the GR H2 Racing Concept last year to preview the potential for a hydrogen category at the race. The newly revealed GR LH2 Racing Concept builds on that work and it seems to adopt the front-end styling of some of Toyota's newest road cars.
How does this fit with Toyota's wider hydrogen efforts?
Toyota is not just focusing on racing. The brand is working with partners both inside and outside the automotive industry to expand hydrogen production, transportation and use. Its motorsport efforts are intended to help develop the technology and infrastructure needed to make hydrogen a viable carbon-neutral fuel.
Toyota also makes the Mirai car for public sale in some countries, powered by a fuel cell using gaseous hydrogen as its fuel, while it has a fleet of hydrogen-fuelled trucks in its supply chain throughout Europe.
Any other Toyota news from Le Mans?
This year marks 40 years since Toyota first competed at Le Mans. To celebrate, one of its GR010 Hybrid race cars is carrying a special livery. The #7 car's red-and-white design pays tribute to the 1998 Toyota TS020, while the #8 car features a matt-black finish.