The five Japanese automotive giants – Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, Kawasaki, and Toyota – have teamed up to create the HySE X2 buggy. This experimental competition prototype aims to develop and champion the use of hydrogen as a commercially viable fuel. HySE stands for Hydrogen Small Mobility & Engine Technology, and its predecessor, the HySE X1, secured 4th place in the 2024 Dakar Rally’s Mission 1000 ACT2 category, featuring vehicles with next-generation, carbon-neutral powertrains.
The buggy is based on the OT3, developed and adapted by Overdrive, Toyota’s division for private Dakar teams. It boasts a robust and efficient design, is optimally sized, weighing in at 1,250 kg, and is built to handle the toughest terrains and most challenging conditions. On board, the crew consists of American Jamie Campbell and Argentinian Bruno Jacomy.
The HySE-X2 boasts significant advancements over its predecessor. It features a high-performance, 998cc Kawasaki inline four-cylinder engine, engineered for enhanced high-rev power and optimised fuel efficiency. Chassis modifications now accommodate an additional hydrogen tank, bringing the total to four compared to the three on the original model, significantly boosting its range.
HySE X2 Japan’s High Hopes for H₂
