GRR

MissionH24 Electric-Hydrogen prototype makes us miss GT1

12th October 2023
Russell Campbell

MissionH24 has unveiled its new – and as yet unnamed – hydrogen-electric prototype today during a press conference at L'Equipe's headquarters in France. It's scheduled to begin testing in 2025 as the sport prepares for Le Mans' new hydrogen category in 2026.

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The new car has a 1,300kg target weight – 116kg less than the machine it replaces – and is expected to be capable of speeds of up to 199mph. The fuel cell has also been vastly improved, producing up to 300kW. Its power density is 50 percent greater than in its H24 predecessor.

Power comes from a single motor that produces 872PS (650kW) and weighs 30kg – 18kg less than the twin motors in the outgoing H24.

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Using the previous technological advancements from the H24 and its predecessor, the LMPH2G, the new prototype hopes to be amongst the top entries in the LMGT3 Class.

A collaboration between the Automobile Club de l'Ouest and hydrogen experts Green GT, Mission H24's first hydrogen-electric car – the four-motored LMPH2G – took to track in 2018, making a demonstration run at Spa in 2018 before appearing at Le Mans the following year. It was replaced by the current H24 car that finished four Le Mans Cup races in 2022.

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Pierre Fillon, President of ACO and Co-President of MissionH24, said: "After introducing hydrogen to the racetrack, MissionH24 is now entering a new phase: bringing hydrogen to competitive racing! This new prototype clearly intends to rival the other forms of energy in the field. Hydrogen technology is safe, reliable and can perform. The ambition is now to provide the first zero-emission winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans".

MissionH24 will reveal the new car's name on 13th November after polling ideas from fans on social media.

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