Despite hydrogen being seen by many as an unprofitable and dead-end investment, some automakers believe it could be an alternative to battery-powered electric vehicles (EVs) in the quest for a carbon-neutral era. BMW and its partner Toyota are strong believers in hydrogen fuel cell cars, with Toyota taking a unique approach by using hydrogen to power an internal combustion engine.
Toyota has already tested prototypes of its GR Yaris and GR Corolla hot hatches, which have been modified to run on hydrogen, during various races. Earlier this year, Toyota joined forces with domestic partners Honda, Suzuki, and Kawasaki to develop hydrogen-burning combustion engines for “small mobility.” The result of this collaboration is set to be unveiled next week at the 2023 Japan Mobility Show—a mockup of an off-roader that will compete in the grueling 2024 Dakar Rally.
This off-roader, known as the “HySE-X1,” is powered by a supercharged inline-four engine with a 1.0-liter displacement. Although the power output is unspecified, the vehicle weighs about 3,306 pounds (1,500 kilograms). The HySE-X1 measures 139 inches (3530 millimeters) in length, 81.5 inches (2070 mm) in width, and 67 inches (1700 mm) in height, according to Toyota and Honda.
The vehicle, which gets its name from “Hydrogen Small Mobility & Engine” technology, is based on a chassis developed by Belgium-based Overdrive Racing. Several modifications have been made to the chassis to accommodate the hydrogen fuel tank and fuel supply system.
The HySE-X1 will participate in the “Mission 1000” Challenge in Saudi Arabia from January 5 to 19, 2024. This program aims to promote and test energy-efficient powertrains, whether hydrogen, electric, or biofuel. While it is more of a testing opportunity for cars, bikes, and trucks initially, the organizers eventually hope to turn “Mission 1000” into an actual race.
It’s worth mentioning that hydrogen-burning combustion engines have been around for quite some time. One notable example is the BMW Hydrogen 7 (E65), produced in the mid-2000s, which featured a V12 engine capable of running on both hydrogen and gasoline. However, it never reached mass production, with only 100 units manufactured and distributed to select individuals for testing and raising awareness about hydrogen-burning combustion engines.
In 2023, BMW introduced the iX5 experimental prototypes, which ditched the internal combustion engine in favor of a fuel cell hydrogen setup.