The six-hour long event will see almost 200 cars. Competing in the SP4 Class, the Gazoo Racing CT features the same Lexus Hybrid Drive as the road-going CT 200h we recently tested, but the petrol-burning lump under the bonnet is a 2.4-liter instead of the usual 1.8-liter.
The batteries and hybrid system are identical to the road car, which means that when starting up and when braking, the racing CT uses just its electric motor, producing zero tailpipe emissions and using no fuel. When the driver puts the pedal to the metal, the 2.4-liter unit works in unison with the electric motor, which proves extra power when accelerating and at racing speeds.
“Throughout its operation, the Lexus full hybrid system intelligently selects the most appropriate power source and also captures energy through regenerative braking to charge the battery, which in turn powers the electric motor," Lexus says.
The company even goes as far as to claim that the Gazoo Racing CT will require less fuel and will emit lower levels of CO2 and harmful gases than any equivalent petrol or diesel race car.
The Gazoo Racing CT driver line-up features three seasoned pilots: Kumi Sato, a female racer who competed in a Lexus IS 250 in 2008; Masahiko Kageyama, who previously supported Toyota’s vehicle development program; and MinoruTakaki, who is responsible for production vehicle development.
Google News