“Toyota’s president himself drove the “”Hydrogen GR Yaris””! Fun to Drive”” with Hydrogen! What will happen in November’s “”Rally Japan””?
Morizou Drives Hydrogen GR Yaris in the WRC!
On the first day of competition of the Ypres Rally Belgium, round 9 of the 2022 FIA World Rally Championship (WRC), the hydrogen-powered GR Yaris H2 was driven by Juha Kankkunen to showcase its performance to European rally fans.
In the evening of the same day, while the rally car was being serviced for the next day in the garage of the service park, an engineer started to carefully put a sticker on the rear quarter.
The sticker read “”MORIZO.
Was the world surprised by the “”potential of hydrogen””? The “”GR Yaris H2″” ran in the WRC! See what it looks like there (68 photos)
Morisso himself drives the hydrogen-powered GR Yaris H2! Showing the world the power of hydrogen at the WRC Belgium!
On the second day of competition, it became a reality.
In SS11, Akio Toyoda, a.k.a. Morizo, took the steering wheel of the GR Yaris H2 himself (co-driven by Kankkunen).
As far as the author (Shinya Yamamoto) knows, this was probably the first time that Mr. Toyoda drove on a WRC stage.
After the surprise run, we conducted a direct interview with him.
We asked him many questions such as why he ran the hydrogen engine in Europe, his impression of the WRC course, and his expectations for WRC Japan coming up in 3 months.
— When did you decide to take the steering wheel of the hydrogen GR Yaris in Belgium this time?
Toyoda: It was really at the last minute. I have many different faces, so it is honestly difficult to set a medium- to long-term schedule.
It’s not that I was hiding it, but it would be more correct to say that the timing worked out well.
— I heard that the kicker was that the representative of Latvala came to Japan to drive the Corolla H2 Concept at the Fuji 24 Hours in June 2022.
Toyoda: That is true.
Furthermore, a part of the power supply for the service park this time is being supplied by MIRAI, which is a horizontal development of the S-Tai (Rookie Racing) initiative.
This is also an example of Latvala’s “”Why is the pit so clean here? and “”Why is there no noise? This is just a trial, but we will continue to implement this initiative in an agile manner.
This is just a trial, but we hope to expand this initiative in the future.
— I am surprised that you were able to achieve this in such a short period of time.
Mr. Toyoda: Mr. Latvala and I have a relationship as a representative of a WRC team and the president of Toyota, but we are both car guys, car lovers, and competitive people.
Because these two people are conversing, a lot of things can happen in a very short time.
— I believe this is the first time President Toyoda has taken the steering wheel overseas since the Nürburgring (Germany), is that right?
Mr. Toyoda: When it comes to public roads, I haven’t driven on public roads since the test drive in England with Mr. Ulrich Betz, the former CEO of Aston Martin, and the driving training with Mr. (Hiroshi) Naruse on a country road near Nurburgring.
Of course, this is my first time on a WRC course.
— What were your impressions of actually driving on WRC roads?
Toyoda: SS11 is about 15 km long.
The SSs in the Rallye Charrette, which I usually compete in, are about 2-4 km, so I thought, “”It will be long, won’t it?”” But once we started the race, it didn’t take long at all.
I had heard that the SS in Belgium is one of the toughest tarmac courses, but when I actually drove it, I was surprised at how great it was. ……
The course conditions changed from time to time, and the roads were so narrow that there was no margin for error if you slipped.
The course is usually used by tractors and other vehicles.
However, my co-driver, Mr. Kankkunen, gave me precise directions and advice tailored to my skills, so I was able to drive without any worries.
However, I think he will be checking my driving on video afterwards (laughs).
— Kankkunen is one of the legends of the WRC world, were you nervous about driving with him beside you?
Toyota: Actually, this is not the first time. I learned a lot from Kankkunen during our snow training in Finland. So I feel like a teacher and a student.
Morisow: Actually, this is not the first time.
After Morisow’s run, we asked Mr. Kankkunen about President Toyoda’s driving, and he answered as follows.
The Belgian roads are very difficult because they are narrow and slippery.
He drove very smoothly and cleanly even in such a situation.
I can’t say enough about the steering and braking.
— How would you rate your own performance against Mr. Kankkunen’s comments?
Toyoda: It was a demo run to begin with (laughs).
Anyway, we put safety first and came back unscathed, so I’d give it about 70 points.
Rally cars drive boldly in-cab on this course, and I tried it once in a safe place, but it was good.
I also had time to look around me while driving, and I could feel the European fans cheering me on.
Toyota’s president himself drove the hydrogen GR Yaris! Sending out “”Fun to Drive”” with hydrogen! What will happen in November’s “”Rally Japan””?
What are your impressions of running hydrogen engine vehicles in Europe? Did you get a good impression of hydrogen?
— You have been running hydrogen-engine vehicles on Japan’s S-Trucks since 2021, but what was your impression when you drove them on European roads?
Toyoda: If you drive the GR Yaris without knowing anything about it, you won’t be able to tell the difference between it and a gasoline-powered car.
However, if you look at the details, the hydrogen engine feels lighter.
I think it was more significant that we were able to show that even internal combustion engines have “”zero CO2 emissions”” by running hydrogen engines in Europe, the home of the WRC, amidst calls for various regulations, carbon neutrality, electrification, and so on.
–The European media also commented, “”Hydrogen engines are amazing! I think it was a great opportunity to show that even internal combustion engines have “”zero CO2 emissions””. On the surface, people are talking about a shift to BEVs, but everyone loves engine cars.
Toyoda: I have always advocated “”Why don’t we broaden the range of choices? Toyoda: I have always advocated “”Why don’t we broaden the range of choices?
This is true not only in Japan but also in Europe. Many people have the image that hydrogen is dangerous, but I would be happy if my driving experience can convey a sense of “”safety”” and “”fun to drive.
The WRC attracts car enthusiasts who can sense cars with all their senses, and I am glad that I was able to make them feel it with my car, rather than just presenting that “”the enemy is carbon, not internal combustion engines””. This is also “”actual thing on the spot””.
European fans were also impressed by the “”GR Yaris H2″” powered by a hydrogen engine, saying, “”The hydrogen engine is amazing! and “”Wow!
— President Toyoda is also a member of the FIA Council, and in that capacity, you also talk about hydrogen engines?
Mr. Toyoda: My role as a councilor is to attend the meetings four times a year, but I am also hoping that I can help turn FIA events, including the WRC, into some kind of new “”movement””.
I am currently in the process of making such proposals.
Morizo is the reason why the FIA council members are elected, not Toyota’s president.
Therefore, I am thinking of ways to make more use of Morisow’s color.
What is the future of creating better cars? And what about “”Rally Japan”” to be held in November?
— Both WEC and WRC have won championships. In terms of cars directly related to motorsports, the GR Yaris has been launched, but will there be others in the future?
Toyoda: I could tell you, but I would immediately write an article about it, so no (laughs).
(laughs) One thing I can say, however, is that in the past, “”motorsports and mass-produced cars are different,”” but today Toyota is saying that “”motorsports and mass-produced cars are connected.
Cars become stronger by achieving results in the presence of competition.
This is true not only for cars specialized in motorsports, but also for functional parts developed in this field that are sure to be utilized in mass-produced cars.
This is the basis of “”creating better cars with motorsports as the starting point.
The other is “”driver first.
Kazuki Nakajima and Kamui Kobayashi in WEC and Mr. Latvala in WRC are both drivers.
In addition, both Makinen and Kankkunen are also common. I think that is a strong point.
Toyota’s president himself drove the hydrogen GR Yaris! He is using hydrogen to promote “”Fun to Drive””! What will happen in November’s “”Rally Japan””?
8/27 (Sat) 10:40
Expect “”Better Cars with Motorsports as the Starting Point!”” And will there be any surprises at the Rally Japan to be held in November?
— Rally Japan will be held in November, two months from now, and it will be over two years since the event was realized.
Toyota: I felt that the course of Rally Japan is similar to that of Rally Japan in terms of the narrowness of the roads, the changeable surface, and the nearby houses …….
However, Europe has built a normal environment to enjoy rallying, but can we do the same in Japan?
There are many problems and issues, but how can we have a safe and enjoyable rally in Japan?
I would like to prepare with everyone’s issues in mind.
However, at this point, I believe that we should not be greedy with this and that ……, but rather, we should make sure to “”connect to the next event (i.e., continue holding the event)””.
— Are there any surprises in Rally Japan? For example, will you be participating as a driver?
Toyoda: I will think about it a little (laughs).
* * *
News of President Toyoda driving the GR Yaris H2 was also transmitted by overseas media. In the comments section of the video seen by the author, this comment was written.
Hydrogen engines should be the future of motorsports and the entire automotive industry! and, “”Waiting for the gasoline-to-hydrogen conversion kit to go on sale.””
I look forward to the development of hydrogen engines in the future.”” “”I hope Toyota will save ICE from extinction.””
Thus, President Toyoda’s “”willful passion and action”” has begun to spread from Japan to the world through this demonstration run. We look forward to future developments.”
