HySE-X1, Buggy Hydrogen Car The Result Of Cooperation With Several Famous Manufacturers Included In The 2024 Dakar Rally

Hydrogen-powered HySE-X1 will be deployed in the 2024 Dakar Rally. (Toyota Global)

JAKARTA - The large number of uses of carbon machines has created several automotive manufacturers to create and present alternative energy suitable for use in vehicles. The alternative energy currently being developed is hydrogen.

It is no secret that Toyota is a pioneer in presenting hydrogen-fueled vehicles. This has been proven by the emergence of Mirai, the only hydrogen-powered production car belonging to the manufacturer. The brand is also not shy about developing existing models by carrying this technology, such as the Hilux exhibited in the UK.

The Japanese manufacturer has again strengthened its commitment to presenting hydrogen vehicles by introducing a small car devoted to passing on an off-road arena called HySE-X1.

The car was developed by the 'Hydrogen Small Mobility & Engine technology' (HySE) association and will be included in the 'Mission 1000' program at the 2024 Dakar Rally which will take place on January 5-19, 2024.

This vehicle is also the result of collaboration between Toyota Motor Corporation and several foreign automotive manufacturers, such as Kawasaki Motors, Suzuki Motor Corporation, Honda Motor Co, Yamaha Motor Co, and Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. HySE-X1 was developed at Yaesu Central Tower, Tokyo, Japan.

"With participation in the Dakar Rally, we were able to identify potential problems and refine our technology to solve the technical themes needed to realize small mobility of hydrogen as soon as possible," said Kenji Komatsu, HySE Project Leader and Executive Officer of Technical Research & Development Center Yamaha, on the company's official website, Wednesday, October 18.

The HySE-X1 which will take part in the event is based on a chassis created by a modified HySE Overdrive Racing partner company in Belgium to accommodate hydrogen fuel tanks and other supply systems. The power from this car comes from the motorcycle engine used by this association in carrying out research activities.

The engine used is 4-cylinder cooled DoHC 16 valve 998 cc. Small as a bucket car, this vehicle has a length of 3,530 mm, a width of 2,070 mm, and a length of 1,700 mm, weighing up to 1,500 kg.

The HySE-X1 will cross the extreme terrain in Saudi Arabia for two weeks. The city of Al-Ula will be tested for its toughness in traveling as far as 5,000 km covering more than 12 challenging stages. This event will start from the city of Al-Ula before passing Yanbu in the Red Sea.

Mission 1000 is a new part of one of the programs launched in the Dakar Reli event. The program aims to invite automakers to develop next-generation carbon neutral powertrain technologies such as hydrogen engines and electric or biofuel hybrids.

Before debuting in one of these iconic events, the HySE-X1 will be displayed at the 2023 Japan Mobility Show (JMS) automotive event which will take place 26 October-5 November 2023 in Tokyo, Japan.