As the world strives toward the common goal of carbon neutrality by 2050, motorsport cannot be allowed to stand alone as an exception. A gradual energy transition is clearly underway in the automotive industry but has already begun in motorsport as well. Among other initiatives, the Dakar Rally and the FIA have created the T1 ultimate category for prototypes powered by low-carbon fuels, including hydrogen. The Dakar is the pinnacle of off-road endurance rally competitions. It offers a great opportunity to ORECA Magny-Cours and FEV to expose their jointly developed internal combustion engine (ICE), fuelled with hydrogen only, to extreme conditions. In addition, the racing environment imposes a unique pace of development which can serve as a catalyst for spurring the H2-ICE technology. Moreover, a hydrogen powered engine is an interesting fit for motorsports because it combines high power output, a relatively long driving range and driving pleasure with an excellent carbon footprint.
This article outlines how ORECA Magny-Cours and FEV are currently converting a gasoline racing engine to hydrogen direct injection to meet the numerous challenges of the Dakar Rally. In several development steps, a combustion chamber was newly developed that is tailored to gaseous hydrogen combustion. A high level of charge motion and optimized mixture formation have ultimately been realized using FEV’s dedicated H2-ICE simulation tool chain. Design changes resulting from the simulation results are incorporated into the engine. Further thermodynamic investigations on an engine test bench will be undertaken by ORECA Magny-Cours to maximize performance while ensuring knock free operation and best engine efficiency. Although there are still development hurdles to overcome, the combined ORECA/FEV experience will bring a viable carbon neutral powertrain solution to compete in the future Dakar Rally.
