A hydrogen variant of the legendary Toyota Hilux will compete in the 2027 Dakar Rally’s Mission 1000. The “DKR GR FC Hilux” will be Toyota’s first time combining hydrogen and fuel cell technology into a racing effort.

It is a fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV), which turns compressed hydrogen into electric power. Being a hydrogen car at its core means the Hilux emits no carbon dioxide while driving and instead lets out water.

The FCEV powertrain, which replaces the regular gas engine of the DKR GR Hilux, and accompanying software are developed in Belgium like the main Hilux. The fuel cell will be shrunken while cooling and energy management are also priorities.

Toyota has been investing into hydrogen in recent years, both on the racing and street side. The latter is most notably represented by the Mirai, the first hydrogen fuel cell production car that has been sold since 2014.

At the 2024 and 2025 Dakar Rallies’ Mission 1000, Toyota partnered with fellow Japanese auto giants Denso, Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, and Yamaha to build the HySE-X1 and -X2 hydrogen side-by-sides. HySE, short for “Hydrogen Small mobility & Engine”, won the fan vote in 2025 en route to a runner-up overall finish in the challenge.

Featured image credit: Gazoo Racing