(Abstatt / Germany) – Bosch Motorsport will present a hydrogen engine at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The unit is based on Maserati's "Nettuno" six-cylinder gasoline engine. For the conversion to hydrogen operation, core components such as the cylinder head and turbocharger from the original design were retained, but "a significant modification was made to the pistons," which were optimized in shape and adapted to lower the compression ratio in order to achieve more power and performance at high engine speeds.
The race car is based on a modified Maserati "Nettuno" gasoline engine. © Bosch
The modifications included the injection system, the ignition system, and the engine control unit. Instead of the combined direct and port injection, the current version uses direct hydrogen injection with Bosch HIDI-LCV injectors. This allows the 3,0-liter engine to produce around 480 kilowatts and 880 newton-meters of torque. The H2 tanks – one behind the passenger compartment and two on the sides of the vehicle – are designed for a system pressure of 700 bar and are made of carbon fiber. Each tank weighs 34 kilograms, with a combined volume of 53,4 liters (2,1 kilograms of hydrogen).
The Ligier JS2 RH2 will be on display in Le Mans on June 13th and will also complete a lap of the racetrack. © Bosch
In 2021, Bosch Engineering entered into a strategic partnership with Ligier Automotive. This resulted in the development of the hydrogen-powered racing car prototype Ligier JS2 RH2. The vehicle was first presented in Le Mans in June 2023. In subsequent tests, the vehicle and engine have proven their robustness over nearly 8.000 kilometers of track driving under various weather conditions without any technical issues. Continuous optimizations have led to the further development of the hydrogen concept.
“Our collaboration with Bosch Engineering and Maserati allows us to explore the full potential of hydrogen in motorsport,” says Jacques Nicolet, President of Ligier Automotive. On Saturday, June 13, 2026, the Ligier JS2 RH2, powered by its hydrogen engine, will complete a demonstration lap at the Le Mans racetrack and will be on display in the H2 Village throughout race week.
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Hydrogen-powered racing car from Bosch Motorsport and Maserati, to be unveiled at Le Mans. © Bosch
