The ORECA Magny-Cours hydrogen engine project recognized by the Vehicle of the Future cluster
ORECA Magny-Cours is continuing its innovative hydrogen internal combustion engine (ICE) project toward carbon-free mobility in rally raid and has been officially acknowledged by the Vehicle of the Future cluster.
In tandem with its involvement in the energy transition project Dakar Future launched by the rally raid in 2021, as well as the development of a hydrogen engine test bench, ORECA Magny-Cours is honoring its commitment to sustainable mobility by working on a future hydrogen engine that will power the vehicles of Dakar competitors beginning in 2024.
As a result of the undeniable potential of hydrogen in racing, ORECA’s engine division is supported by the Vehicle of the Future cluster and was recently granted an official label, an acknowledgement of excellence that will allow Magny-Cours teams to work in optimum conditions.
This labeling process is an element of the continuity of ORECA Magny-Cours commitments made over the last several months to contribute to the development of sustainable mobility.
Vehicle of the Future cluster general manager Bruno Grandjean: It is with great satisfaction that the Vehicle of the Future cluster is supporting ORECA Magny-Cours in this innovative project which is helping to strengthen the hydrogen sector in Bourgogne-Franche-Comté and is demonstrating the laboratory role that competition plays in the development and operational testing of breakthrough technologies for the mobility of tomorrow.
ORECA Group Technical Director Rémi Taffin: We are delighted that the Vehicle of the Future cluster, which has supported us for several years, has once again shown its confidence in us by backing our hydrogen engine project. It is a perfect demonstration of ORECA Groupe’s purposeful progress in the development of new energies. Due to the certainty that hydrogen is one of the energies to be cultivated in motorsport, ORECA is positioning itself in favor of the development of adapted engines.
The cluster label is a seal of excellence that provides a company every advantage in order to accelerate an innovative project.
Including the scientific and technical-economic study of the project, the label is obtained at the end of a precise process that takes into account the appropriateness of the project relative to the strategy of the cluster and assures it brings added value to a given area. The cluster label guarantees quality support including the identification of need, rigorous monitoring by technical experts throughout the life of the project and guidance towards available funding (regional, national or European).
About the Vehicle of the Future cluster
The Vehicle of the Future cluster leads an ecosystem with more than 500 members in the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté and Grand Est regions including companies, public research structures and training organizations. As a competitiveness cluster, it initiates and supports innovation relative to vehicles, mobility solutions and related services. The cluster responds to major challenges in the evolution of mobility (electric, hydrogen, autonomous and connected vehicles, mobility services, etc.) and addresses the automotive, industrial vehicle, off-road machinery, rail and motorsport markets, as well as soft mobility. A regional representative of the Automobile Platform, the cluster supports companies in the sector on a daily basis, implements programs to improve industrial performance and provides training. To learn more, go to: vehiculedufutur.com
About ORECA Magny-Cours
Strategically located in Magny-Cours near the F1 circuit, the ORECA engine department managed by Serge Meyer covers 3,600 m², including 1,800 m² of workshops, and houses four test benches as well as a high-end timing bench and a cylinder head blower. Boasting a staff of approximately fifty, the engine division has grown over the years to become a benchmark in France and Europe. In addition to specific equipment, this department has unique expertise in engineering, production and preparation. Capable of designing, building and developing an engine and its entire electronic control system from start to finish, this division consistently services the largest manufacturers in the world. To learn more, go to: oreca.com/
