Hydrogen-powered Toyota and Ligier prototypes set to run demonstration laps at Le Mans
Two cutting-edge hydrogen-powered race cars are set to complete demonstration laps at the Circuit de la Sarthe at the Le Mans 24 Hours next week.
The first demo is from Toyota Racing, which will showcase its TR LH2 liquid hydrogen concept car (pictured above). The prototype, which is based on the same chassis as its TR010 Hybrid Hypercar, will complete laps on both Thursday and Saturday in the hands of three-time Le Mans winner Kazuki Nakajima.
It will be the first public running for the liquid hydrogen-fueled car, with the runs following on from the unveiling of Toyota’s liquid hydrogen-powered GR LH2 concept at Le Mans last year.
“After some track testing in the past few months, we are ready to hit the track with the TR LH2 racing prototype in Le Mans. There is no better place than Le Mans to do a first race lap with a prototype car, and I’m very honored to have a chance to drive,” Nakajima said.
The Japanese marque has a strong history as a leader in the development of hydrogen technologies in motorsport, fielding concept cars in the Japanese Super Taikyu series since 2021, as well as performing demonstration runs at rounds of the FIA World Rally Championship. At Le Mans, its ORC ROOKIE GR Corolla H2 Concept also previously completed a demonstration lap in 2023.
The second car that will take to the track is the Ligier JS2 RH2 (pictured below), which is being co-developed by Bosch Engineering, Maserati and Ligier Automotive.
The hydrogen-combustion-powered racer, previously revealed at Le Mans in 2023, now features a new racing engine capable of producing “hypercar-level performance”. Bosch Motorsport says the latest version of the hydrogen-powered engine is based on Maserati’s Nettuno, a 3.0-liter six-cylinder gasoline engine featuring biturbo charging and dry sump lubrication.
The hydrogen-combustion-powered racer, previously revealed at Le Mans in 2023, now features a new racing engine capable of producing “hypercar-level performance”. Bosch Motorsport says the latest version of the hydrogen-powered engine is based on Maserati’s Nettuno, a 3.0-liter six-cylinder gasoline engine featuring biturbo charging and dry sump lubrication.
According to the company, key components including the cylinder head and turbocharger were retained from the original design, while modifications were made to the pistons, injection system, ignition system and engine control unit to enable hydrogen operation.
“To make a vision like the hydrogen race car a reality, you need a strong team. Our strategic partnership with Ligier Automotive is the foundation on which we are developing and testing the vehicle,” said Ingo Mauel, head of Bosch Motorsport. "At the same time, our collaboration with Maserati provided a first-class basis for the engine. This pooling of expertise is our key to bringing sustainable performance to the road faster.”
Instead of the combined direct and port fuel injection system used in the gasoline engine, the hydrogen-powered version employs hydrogen direct injection using Bosch’s HIDI LCV injectors. The 3.0-liter engine produces around 480 kilowatts and 880 Newton-meters of torque in its motorsport application.
Davide Danesin, the head of Maserati Engineering, said the Nettuno engine’s design made it suitable for hydrogen conversion.
“Nettuno is a state-of-the-art engine that continues to demonstrate robustness, efficiency, and versatility. For this reason, it has proven to be particularly well-suited for conversion to hydrogen, thanks to its inherent strength, which allows it to withstand very high cylinder pressures,” Danesin said.
According to Bosch, the vehicle and engine have completed nearly 5,000 miles of track testing in varying weather conditions without technical issues. The company said ongoing development has increased torque and power while further reducing emissions.
Jacques Nicolet, President of Ligier Automotive, said the project demonstrates the potential of combining expertise from multiple automotive and motorsport organizations.
“The Ligier JS2 RH2 project perfectly illustrates what can be achieved when three complementary areas of expertise come together. Our collaboration with Bosch Engineering and Maserati allows us to explore the full potential of hydrogen in motorsport, combining performance with sustainability. It also echoes a meaningful chapter in our history – the original Ligier JS2, powered by a V6 3.0 L Maserati engine, claimed victory at the Tour Auto in 1974.
“Today, this legacy inspires us to look ahead. Together, we are not only developing a race car demonstrator, but also opening the door to future applications, such as a decarbonized track-day car integrating Maserati engine technology and Bosch hydrogen systems,” Nicolet said.
Off track, the Toyota and Ligier will also be on display to the public in the H2 Village at Le Mans during race week.
MissionH24, Alpine, Toyota Racing, Ariane Group, Blue Spirit Aero, Vision, Eodev, Hylico, the University of Le Mans, the Maison de l’Europe, Horizon Educational and its H2GP program, TotalEnergies and its 700 bar station, as well as the young winners of the Ecogreen Energy Challenge will also be exhibiting at the event, presenting the technology to the 350,000 + race-going fans.
As it stands, the ACO and FIA are still working towards debuting Hydrogen-powered race cars in the Le Mans 24 Hours and introducing a category for the technology in the FIA WEC before the end of the decade. However, progress in developing a set of technical regulations has been slow and subject to multiple delays.
ACO President Pierre Fillon gave his most recent public update on the subject during the FIA WEC's 100th race at Fuji Speedway last September, reiterating that the debut of the hydrogen ruleset is still targeted for 2028 or 2029. We may hear more about the technology's prospects at Le Mans during the ACO's annual press conference on the eve of the 24 Hours next week.
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