Lexus has teamed up with GAZOO Racing (who has previously raced the LFA supercar) to build an endurance racing version of the CT200h Hybrid. Built for the SP4 class, the GAZOO CT makes its debut at the famed Nürburgring for the six-hour Adenauer ADAC Rundstrecken-Trophy. Amongst nearly 200 GT spec Porsches and BMWs will be a full-blown hybrid attempting to break some previous opinions.
In order to make the CT200h race ready, GAZOO ditched the 1.8 liter gas engine for Toyota’s larger 2.4 liter DOHC four. The batteries and hybrid system have been unchanged from the road car however and still feature Lexus Hybrid Drive. Regenerative braking and the ability to function solely on the electric motor are still in place for the GAZOO CT. This should allow the CT to last the long six hours with minimal fuel stops.
Lexus is one of the few manufactures to compete in endurance races using full hybrid vehicles. This isn’t the first time they have been on the Nürburgring with a hybrid either; a RX 400h was campaigned in 2005. Lexus seems to be banking on the CT becoming popular amongst younger buyers which is a segment very difficult to break into with a hybrid. The GAZOO racing CT could birth aftermarket parts and backing for the CT the same way that Honda has done with the CR-Z. In any case, expect a more powerful road-going CT in the near future.
