Gazoo Racing accelerate preparations for their 2027 Dakar Rally FCEV challenge

• Build-up of the new DKR GR FC Hilux, a hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) * that Gazoo Racing will enter in the 2027 Dakar Rally, has been completed ahead of its dynamic test programme.
• Dania Akeel has been selected to drive in testing and in the Dakar Future Mission 1000 category of the 2027 Dakar Rally
• The DKR GR FC Hilux – Producing no tailpipe CO₂ when driven* – features two fuel cell stacks and high-pressure hydrogen tanks.
• The project is part of Toyota’s multipath approach to exploring alternative powertrain technologies, with the aim of developing insights that could contribute to reducing tailpipe CO₂ emissions in motorsport and future road cars.

Gazoo Racing have revealed further details of the DKR GR FC Hilux, their fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV)* challenge on the 2027 Dakar Rally, including the driver-navigator crew and outline technical details.

As part of their commitment to making ever-better motorsports-bred cars, Gazoo Racing will enter the Dakar Future Mission 1000 category, which is dedicated to experimental vehicles and new technologies.  This project marks Toyota’s first full-fledged entry in a motorsport competition with a hydrogen FCEV. It is also a further example of Gazoo Racing using the motorsport arena to train people and develop talent.

Testing programme

A short and intense development programme involved close cooperation between several parties. Toyota’s European R&D centre near Brussels cooperated with Overdrive Racing – which runs the Toyota Gazoo Racing World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC) team and developed the DKR GR Hilux – together with Toyota Racing in Cologne and Toyota Motor Corporation.

Construction of the DKR GR FC Hilux is now complete and the racing pick-up is undergoing dynamic testing prior to its competition debut.

Driver Announcement:

Saudi rally driver Dania Akeel will drive the DKR GR FC Hilux in testing and in its first competition, the Dakar Rally. 

Since starting her rally-raid career in 2021, Akeel has become an experienced and successful competitor. In her first Dakar Rally, she earned a top 10 finish in the T3 class and, became a Dakar Rally stage winner in 2025 in the Challenger category. She went on to successfully secure multiple stage wins during the W2RC 2025 and 2026 seasons and was the Challenger class winner of the W2RC Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge. She is also a two-time winner of the FIA Middle East Baja Cup, at the wheel of an Overdrive Racing-entered Toyota Hilux in 2024 and 2025. 

She said: “This is a great opportunity for me to learn how new technologies are brought to life in the automotive world. To witness such a pioneering venture from the driver’s seat is a unique experience, which I hold as both a privilege and a pleasure. And to be able to share my feedback as a driver into the development of these technologies is very special.

“In rally-raid competition, our biggest asset as a driver is to be able to race in diverse terrain and conditions requiring us to be flexible and effective in changing environments, which is perfect for testing the reliability and durability of any new car or technology to the limit. I believe this will also help me enhance my skills by adapting to evolving technologies and to grow as a driver.”

Technical profile

Based on the same platform as the DKR GR Hilux, the DKR GR FC Hilux uses the same tubular frame, safety cell, suspension and brakes. It is equipped with a high-output unit that combines two fuel cell stacks into a single system and uses the same high-pressure hydrogen tanks as Mirai, Toyota’s hydrogen fuel cell saloon.

A dedicated e-axle, an IAV Dragoon ECU and a new electronics system have been selected, while innovative solutions such as natural fibre panels – replacing some carbon fibre parts – and a new high-voltage cooling system will also be introduced. The vehicle will run on OPEN COUNTRY tyres from TOYO TIRE.

By combining production parts and advanced technology, Gazoo Racing will test components in the harsh environment of the Dakar Future Mission 1000 category. The experience gained will enable knowledge transfer which can benefit the development of future road cars and fuel cell applications.

With the support of its official sponsor Jameel Motorsport and partners DENSO, TOYO TIRE and IAV and PRF, Toyota continues to advance its challenge to explore the potential of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies in motorsports.

*FCEV: Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle. The electricity powering the vehicle is generated on board by the fuel cell from hydrogen, which can be produced from various energy sources, including fossil sources. Emissions can be associated with other aspects of the car’s life cycle (including its manufacture, maintenance, end-of-life), from the production of hydrogen fuel and from day-to-day use, such as from the tyres and brakes.

ENDS