Toyota GR to field hydrogen FCEV Hilux for 2027 Dakar Rally

MANILA: Toyota Motor Corporation's motorsport and high-performance arm, Toyota Gazoo Racing, will field an environmentally friendly race vehicle at the 2027 Dakar Rally. 

The Japanese marque’s new Dakar contender, dubbed the DKR GR FC Hilux, is powered by a hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) powertrain - the first time ever for Toyota. It is still related to the GR Sport Hilux that we’re all familiar with, but this means virtually no CO2 emissions, with water (H2O) as the sole byproduct during operation. 

The newer FCEV racer will be competing in the 2027 Dakar’s Future Mission 1000 category, which is intended for experimental vehicles. 

Notably, the Toyota DKR GR FC Hilux replaces the older DKR GR Hilux, which previously used a gasoline engine in the Ultimate category of the 2022-2024 editions of Dakar. 

As Toyota further shared, the climes and terrain of the 2027 Dakar are outright hostile. As a rally spectacle, it boasts very lengthy stages, but the area where it is run is often battered by very hot weather. 

However, the aforementioned is considered the ideal test bed for Toyota’s FCEV technology. Even then, Toyota has prepped the DKR GR FC Hilux with “fuel cell downsizing, optimal cooling, durability, and energy management.”

According to Toyota, fielding an FCEV race vehicle for Dakar will help gain insights that will eventually trickle down to passenger cars, trucks, buses, trains, race cars, stationary power generators, among other products. 

Moreover, the people who are involved in the project itself will also gain FCEV-related problem-solving skills from the high-pressure racing event. 

Toyota shared that competitors in the 2027 Dakar Mission 1000 will race against the clock over 13 stages, covering a total of 1,000 kilometers across the brutal deserts of Saudi Arabia. 

For those who want to see the Toyota DKR GR FC Hilux in action, the event is scheduled from January 1-15, 2027. The race will kick off from the King Abdullah Economic City. 

Other Stories: Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 4MATIC+ debuts as 680 hp high-performance EV Inchcape ends Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram distributorship in PH Radar EV PH enjoys 155% growth in June 2026

Other Toyota Gazoo Racing updates

Recently, Toyota Motor Philippines held the second leg of the 12th TGR Philippine Cup at Clark International Speedway, which started its "rolling laboratory" initiative where racers in the Vios OMR and the Tamaraw OMR competed using E20 ethanol and B5 biofuel, respectively.

 This is in line with the company's commitment to "Pushing the Limits for Better."

The event commenced with the aforementioned biofuels to great effect, with racers such as Toyota Motor Philippines President Masando Hashimoto (Tamaraw #4) reporting no change or loss of power when using the more sustainable form of diesel. 

Back in 2025, Toyota Gazoo Racing likewise fielded an FCEV version of the GR Corolla at Japan’s famous Super Taikyu racing series. The prototype model performed well in the motorsport event, thus proving that liquid hydrogen technology is highly capable of handling continuous operation at maximum output. 

More recently, Toyota Motor Philippines likewise shared that the GR GT is already in the pipeline for the local market. No exact launch dates were shared, but this is an exciting development for local Gazoo Racing fans. 

Also read:

Toyota Makati offering cash incentive for car owners affected by Takata airbag issue

Toyota GR PH Cup 2026 to serve as 'rolling lab' for biofuel testing

Macoy Dubs adds Toyota GR Yaris to sporty car stable

Connect with us through our various social media pages:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ZigWheelsPhilippines

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zigwheelsph/

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@zigwheels

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ZigWheelsPhilippines/