Toyota Reveals Hydrogen Fuel Cell Hilux for 2027 Dakar Rally

Toyota Gazoo Racing has unveiled its newest experiment: the DKR GR FC Hilux, a hydrogen fuel cell pickup designed to take on the Dakar Rally in January 2027.

Swapping conventional combustion power for a fuel cell stack, the zero-emission truck will run exclusively on hydrogen during the annual desert race. The FC Hilux will line up in Dakar Future Mission 1000—a dedicated category designed to test alternative-energy powertrains alongside the main event in Saudi Arabia.

The truck will tackle roughly 621 miles (1,000 kilometers) over 13 grueling special stages. This race will give engineers critical real-world telemetry on how fuel cell hardware tolerates extreme heat, dust, and severe vibration.

While the standard Dakar Hilux relies on a high-output, petrol-fueled engine, the FC variant runs what Toyota calls a "2.5-generation" fuel cell system. The setup blends components from second-generation production fuel cells with newer elements developed for Toyota's third-generation architecture. Its only tailpipe emission during desert running will be water vapor.

Data gathered during the rally will feed directly into Toyota's commercial vehicle roadmap, which includes a planned road-going Hilux Fuel Cell for 2028. Toyota targets a driving range exceeding 250 miles and a maximum towing capacity of 5,500 pounds for the eventual production truck.

To keep the hydrogen prototype running reliably across Saudi Arabia, Toyota Gazoo Racing has locked in four major corporate partners. Jameel Motorsport, Toyota and Lexus's official Saudi Arabian distributor, will manage local logistics and support operations for the event.

Parts supplier Denso brings specialized cooling, power electronics, and powertrain parts tailored for high-speed fuel cell operations, while engineering firm IAV provides technical support and software integration. Finally, Toyo Tires will equip the truck with its Open Country M/T-R rubber.

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