- The GR Yaris Rally2 H2 Concept uses liquid hydrogen to deliver near-zero tailpipe emissions.
- Developed in Finland, the concept retains the petrol Rally2 model’s chassis and bodywork.
- The car will debut on Rally Finland’s Harju stage, driven by four-time World Rally Champion Juha Kankkunen.
Toyota has taken its hydrogen ambitions off the grid and onto the gravel with the debut of the GR Yaris Rally2 H2 Concept: a liquid hydrogen–fuelled rally car that promises near-zero tailpipe emissions without losing the visceral growl fans love.
The concept was unveiled at the start of Rally Finland, marking the latest chapter in Toyota’s push for cleaner combustion alternatives.
Built for battle (just not your lungs)
Though it doesn’t quite scream “Rally1”, the GR Yaris H2 has serious motorsport cred. It’s been built to meet WRC’s Rally2 class regulations, sharing its wide body, chassis and aero-heavy styling with the petrol-powered GR Yaris Rally2.
In place of rear windows are vented panels, while a fresh livery helps signal its alternative-fuel credentials.
The real magic, though, lies under the bonnet. Toyota hasn’t disclosed full technical specs just yet, but it’s believed to use a turbocharged 1.6-litre three-cylinder engine, modified to run on liquid hydrogen.
The result, according to Toyota, is “near-zero emissions” without sacrificing the “sounds and sensations” that make internal combustion so addictive.
Juha’s turn at the wheel
Developed at Toyota Gazoo Racing’s HQ in Jyväskylä, Finland, the hydrogen concept has already been tested on both gravel and tarmac.
Rally legend Juha Kankkunen, now Deputy Team Principal at TGR-WRT, is tasked with putting it through its paces during the Harju stage on Thursday and Friday.
After its rally debut, the car will be displayed alongside two other hydrogen-powered Toyotas: the production-ready Mirai FCEV and a hydrogen-fuelled Tundra prototype.
From circuits to stages
Toyota’s hydrogen combustion story didn’t start here. The journey began in 2021 with a modified GR Corolla competing in Japan’s Super Taikyu Series.
Since then, similar tech has been tested in a GR Yaris, a Corolla Cross concept, and even larger vehicles like the HiAce van and Tundra pickup. There’s also the wild GR LH2 Racing Concept, which fuses hydrogen combustion with hybrid power on a Le Mans-derived chassis.
Whether hydrogen combustion catches on in the rally world remains to be seen. But if it sounds like this and pollutes like that, it might just have a future.