A hydrogen buggy equipped with Kawasaki's supercharged engine has just started the Dakar Rally, and it looks like the engine will soon be taking to the skies.
PREPARE FOR TAKE-OFF
It is still fresh in our memory that Kawasaki demonstrated a hydrogen engine research vehicle at the Suzuka 8 Hours on July 20, 2024. In fact, immediately after that, on July 22, the same vehicle was also unveiled at the Farnborough International Air Show in the UK, where a parallel 6-cylinder version based on this engine was also exhibited.
The booth panel was decorated with the logo "PREPARE FOR TAKE-OFF" and a photo of the H2R racing down the runway. This catchphrase, which imitates the logo of the movie "Top Gun," was used when the car featured in the movie was exhibited at the Milan Show in 2022, but the actual takeoff is imminent.
Kawasaki invested in French startup VoltAero in 2023 and is entering the aviation engine business. The H2R-based supercharged engine is planned to be used in aircraft with 5 to 12 seats. It is a hybrid that also uses a motor, and the high-end grade is said to produce about 1000 PS with just the engine.
Currently, it is equipped with the H2 SX's supercharged inline 4-cylinder engine, and is undergoing certification testing with a 204 PS engine and 225 PS motor. The 1000 PS specification is thought to be the output of an inline 6-cylinder engine, but the plan is to obtain certification for a gasoline x turbo specification by 2030, and a hydrogen fuel x turbo specification by 20235. We are looking forward to seeing it take off.
This was on display at the Farnborough Air Show in the UK in July. On the right is the research vehicle that was demoed at the Suzuka 8 Hours, and in the center is the in-line 6-cylinder engine designed for air shows. Kawasaki's 6-cylinder engine is back!
The powertrain of the aircraft for which certification testing has begun. On the right side, you can see the H2 SX's in-line 4-cylinder supercharged engine. It appears that the 5-seater "Cassio330" will use a 4-cylinder engine.
The in-line 6-cylinder engine based on the H2R has two additional cylinders and an increased stroke, increasing the displacement to 2000cc.
The blue head is hydrogen fueled, the green is gasoline. Both six-cylinder engines use turbochargers.
Cassio480 [VOLTAERO] A small aircraft that uses a motor and a Kawasaki engine. The mid-range 480 seats six people, has a maximum cruising speed of 370km/h, and is expected to have a maximum range of 1200km.
This is the HySE-X2's second Dakar Rally. In 2024, the car finished fourth in its class, and the X2 has an increased hydrogen tank capacity.
Displayed at the Suzuka 8 Hours in 2024. A hydrogen-fueled supercharged engine will be fitted to the HySE-X2.
There are many future-oriented products that aim to be "cute and scenic"
The hydrogen engine research vehicle and HySE-X1 have been running since 2024, and Kawasaki aims to release a hydrogen engine vehicle in 2030. The world's first strong hybrid bike, the Ninja 7/Z7 Hybrid, will be released on February 15th. The EV Ninja/Z e-1 is also on sale.
Kawasaki has been strongly futuristic in recent times and is enhancing its corporate image, but veteran fans are probably hoping for a big bike with a Kawasaki-like manliness. On the other hand, there is currently no information on a modern version of the GPZ900R, which was exhibited at the 2022 Milan Show with the "PREPARE FOR TAKE-OFF" logo.
In addition, the in-line 6-cylinder engine that is an enlarged version of the H2R is for aircraft, so a modern version of the Z1300 seems unlikely. Kawasaki is currently focusing on strengthening its existing series to meet more needs, with the W230 and Meguro S1 having recently debuted, and a model that appears to be a new KLE500 scheduled for 2026.
Among them, the one we are looking forward to is the next 900cc model. The new Z900, which is scheduled to be released in Japan in 2025, will be equipped with the latest 948cc in-line 4-cylinder unit with a new electronic throttle. It is expected to be deployed to other models to spread costs, and there is also a possibility that a major reinforcement will be implemented with a new model. Will it actually happen?
The new "KLE" was exhibited at the Milan Show. Although the contents of the box were not clearly visible, the in-line twin-cylinder engine was partially visible. From its shape, it appears to be the 451cc unit of the overseas Eliminator 500.
New Eliminator 900 [CG projection] If the new engine is used to reinforce the existing series, the revival of the Eliminator 900 after 40 years is likely. Perhaps it will be the engine of the new Ninja 1100SX!?
GPZ900R (1986) [KAWASAKI] The GPZ900R that appeared in Top Gun with the "Prepare for takeoff" logo was exhibited, and the Ninja1000SX was later released in the same color to commemorate Ninja's 40th anniversary.
