A Hydrogen-Powered Toyota Mirai In WRC?

Toyota has once again shown its excitement for the brand's upcoming return to WRC rallying. The last time Toyota competed in the highest level of rallying was back in 1999. The manufacturer has a rich history with rallying; you only have to think back to the Celica GT-Four, which won numerous rally stages all around the world.

We know that Toyota will use a heavily modified Yaris to enter the WRC next year, but the manufacturer decided to give fans at the Deutschland stage last weekend a special treat. The spectators there had the unique pleasure of seeing a hydrogen-powered Mirai slide down the trails in the utmost silence.

• Also: Toyota Mirai: Hydrogen, Fuel Of The Future?
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Toyota knows that its hydrogen drivetrain wouldn’t be competitive in rally events, but they still optimized the car for going down trails as fast as possible: it was gutted, fitted with a rollcage and competition seats, plus sturdier brakes and a set of off-road tires.

According to Yoshikazu Tanaka, Chief Engineer for the Mirai, it is Toyota’s dream to use a green vehicle in rallying.

And for those of you who prefer to hear a piston engine revving, we remind you that Toyota’s WRC Yaris will make its debut at the start of the 2016-2017 season.