Gazoo Racing fields race-prepped Lexus CT hybrid at N�rburgring

Filed under: Motorsports, Hybrid, Europe, Hatchback, Lexus, Racing

Lexus Gazoo Racing CT - Click above for high-res image

When nearly 200 cars line up this weekend at the Nürburgring for the Adenauer ADAC Rudstrecken-Trophy, countless Porsches and BMWs will be among them. And a hybrid. Wait, what?

That's right. This year Gazoo Racing - the ToMoCo-backed outfit that has campaigned the Lexus LFA at the same track - is fielding a competition-spec Lexus CT 200h.

Well, we shouldn't call it a CT 200h, since while it's almost identical to the roadgoing CT hybrid, the 200 nameplate would be a bit of a misnomer. Because while the electric component of the Lexus Hybrid Drive system was kept in place for this racing machine, the 1.8-liter four was replaced by a 2.4. Perhaps it's a test platform for the upcoming more powerful CT?

Otherwise, beyond the required safety modifications, it's pretty much bone stock, right down shutting the engine off at idle and under braking. Follow the jump for the full press release.

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Gazoo Racing fields race-prepped Lexus CT hybrid at N�rburgring originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 15 May 2011 10:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2011/05/15/gazoo-racing-fields-race-prepped-lexus-ct-hybrid-at-nuurburgring/

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