2011 Lexus CT 200h Celebrity Challenge

KERS isn't the only hybrid system slated to appear on the Albert Park circuit when the season kicks off with the Australian Grand Prix on March 24. This time the Celebrity Challenge is a fixture set to return to this year's Australian Grand Prix.

And this year the race will be going a more environmentally-conscious (and luxurious) route with the Lexus CT 200h. The 27 examples of the luxury hybrid sport-hatch – likely to be only mildly modified with race-spec safety equipment – will be on hand for the event. Lexus is touting it as "the first hybrid-only race staged globally" and will serve as the vehicle's launch in the market Down Under. Details in the press release after the jump.

Lexus is bringing back the Celebrity Challenge race to the 2011 Formula 1TM Qantas Australian Grand Prix after the event's two-year hiatus with its soon-to-be-launched CT 200h hybrid hatchback. The Celebrity Challenge will be the first hybrid-only race staged globally and will mark the introduction of the all-new compact luxury hybrid to the Australian luxury market.

KERS, like in a hybrid vehicle, captures energy and stores it for use later in the race to boost engine power. The Lexus CT 200h, maybe two celebrities will have the opportunity to win - one for outright position and the other for the Le Mans-inspired "index of efficiency" concept, by measuring fuel use during the race.

"CT 200h is a fun yet frugal sports luxury hybrid hatch. The Celebrity Challenge gives Lexus the ability to demonstrate that hybrids can be fun to drive - while still being environmentally conscious," Mr Evans said.