GCK introduces one of the world's first GT powered by a hydrogen combustion engine

• The hydrogen combustion engine represents a major technological innovation in the fields of motor sport and hydrogen mobility, pushing back the limits of vehicle performance without CO2 emissions.
• This car, manufactured by Solution F, a GCK subsidiary, is being unveiled on the occasion of the centenary edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, which takes place on June 10 and 11.
• Thanks to Solution F, GCK is confirming its industrial ambitions in the development of hydrogen combustion engines

Le Mans, 7 June 2023 – To mark the centenary of the Le Mans 24 Hours, the Green Corp Konnection (GCK) group is unveiling the Foenix H2, one of the world’s first GT racing cars powered by a hydrogen combustion engine. 

The car will be on display from June 6 to 11 in the 24 Hours village alongside Mission H24, the ACO’s fuel cell car, demonstrating GCK’s expertise in integrating complex hydrogen technology into vehicles. For GCK and Solution F, motorsport represents a superb innovation laboratory to test technological solutions dedicated to the decarbonisation of transport in the most extreme conditions. 

A few days after launching Twin-E, its hybridisation kit for production vehicles, Solution F, a subsidiary of the GCK group and a leading figure in motorsport in France, is offering a major new technological advance. Over the course of its rich history, Solution F has been able to multiply its innovations in terms of both chassis and engines. The Foenix H2 is the perfect illustration of this combination of skills, with a fully developed GT chassis and the expertise recently acquired by the Provence-based company in hydrogen combustion engines.  

Given its running costs, proven reliability and ease of handling, the Foenix, designed in 2017 by Solution F, represents a real alternative to current GT cars. It is now equipped with a 6.2-litre V8 hydrogen internal combustion engine, supercharged by a mechanical compressor and developing 450 kW (612 bhp) at a speed of 6,500 rpm and 700 Nm of torque at 4,500 rpm. 

Based on a tried and tested classic 4-stroke architecture, this engine features an innovative direct hydrogen injection system that enables this gas to be used as a fuel. The dihydrogen molecule has a high energy density by mass (1 kg of this gas is equivalent to around 3 kg of petrol), and its combustion generates only water vapour and a small quantity of nitrogen oxides. Fitted with a latest-generation 700-bar storage tank developed by our partner Forvia, this car carries more than 8 kg of H2, giving it a significant range for a hydrogen-powered competition vehicle.

Significant growth prospects 

The Foenix H2 took its first promising laps around a circuit in the south of France a few days ago. Tests will continue over the coming months to t test in endurance conditions the various components of the hydrogen powertrain and achieve a performance comparable to that of current internal combustion GT cars. 

Through this program, GCK is pursuing two distinct and complementary objectives. On the one hand, the group wants to demonstrate the extent of its expertise in hydrogen combustion powertrains not only for motorsport, but also for many other mobility applications. On the other hand, it wants to prove that the Foenix H2 is a high-performance competition vehicle with reasonable running costs that could be of interest to tomorrow’s one-design race promoters. 

The presence of the Foenix H2 at this edition of the 24 Hours of le Mans, which will bring together the leading Hypercar manufacturers such as Ferrari, Porsche and Peugeot, marks an important first step for Solution F and GCK. In 2024, the car will take part in several other legendary motorsport events to continue to demonstrate the quality of the work carried out and the relevance of this innovative technology.
 

Eric Boudot, President of GCK: “I am delighted and proud to be presenting the Foenix H2 at the centenary of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, this legendary race which is now turning to hydrogen mobility. This car and its engine represent major advances in both motor sport and carbon-free mobility! I’d like to thank the ACO for welcoming us in what is such an important year for it, and I’d like to congratulate the Solution F teams for their unfailing commitment to this major project for the GCK Group.” 

GCK will hold a press conference on Thursday 9 June at 11am in the H2 village. 

A video of the Foenix H2 can be found on this link: https://youtu.be/oF936LHag3Y