After making his public debut during the 8 hours of Suzuka, the hydrogen-driven Kawasaki H2 Hyse Prototype made a 15-hour demonstration round about the Bugatti circuit fifteen minutes before the start of the 24-hour Le Mans.
At the invitation of the organizers of the Race, ASO (that is the organization that is also responsible for the world-famous Tour de France), Kawasaki sent the prototype of their Hyse-Motorfiets to Le Mans, together with test driver Matthias Hoeppner.
As one of the motor manufacturers who are a member of Hyse (the Hydrogen Small Mobility & Engine Technology Association), Kawasaki has developed a machine based on the H2 platform with Supercharger that is exclusively driven by hydrogen stored in special tanks on both sides of the machine.
With virtually no emissions (including some harmless water vapor), the hyse machine is a physical sign that the “fuel of the future” hydrogen can be used on both two-wheeled and four-wheeled vehicles.
Under the watchful eye of the huge Le Mans public plus Gilles Huttepain, Vice President of ASO and Mathieu Kassovitz, the official starter of the 2025 racing, test pilot Matthias Hoeppner left the pit lane just 15 minutes before the race itself started and completed a demonstration round in the 4,13 km circuit.
For ASO, this invitation is part of a longer H24 strategy that focuses on a final 24-hour race for electric cars and cars on hydrogen. For Kawasaki it was an excellent opportunity to present her green plans.
As the only motorcycle manufacturer, Kawasaki has gasoline, electric and hybrid motorcycles in the line-up, Kawasaki Motors France had created a display in the public space of the racing circuit where visitors could view the product display during the four days of the event and ask questions about current and new technologies.
With other displays aimed at hydrogen, including a children’s railway and a generator on hydrogen, the green focus of the event perfectly matched the mission of the Hyse group to investigate the clear environmental benefits of hydrogen vehicles.
Matthias Hoeppner:
“Our research into hydrogen energy illustrates well the Kawasaki principles to not only embrace new technologies, but also to apply practical applications to them. As one of the test drivers, I am now well used to the hyse machine, but it still gives me a kick every time I have been driven by the demonstratier. And the enormous audience appreciated the chance to see a real working example of hydrogen drive applied to a motorcycle. ”
– Thanks for information from Motorfreaks.