Toyota Celica Coupe Sports Car Review

Toyota Celica is a coupe sports car manufactured by Toyota Motor Corporation, Japan from October 1970 until April 2006. Over the past 36 years, there are seven generations of Celica, with a total cumulative production of over 4.1 million units.

Styling and handling is an important point of the Celica, where this car comes with an attractive exterior design as well as fun to drive because its steering is responsive and communicative, steady handling, and braking distance to stop short.

Large market for the Celica is the United States, Japan, Europe, and Australia.

Celica is the official used Toyota cars in the world rally championship / World Rally Championship (WRC) from 1972 to 1986 model with rear wheel, and from 1988 to 1997 model with the GT-Four 4WD berpenggerak. WRC Celica to be made by Toyota Team Europe in Cologne, Germany.

After Celica discontinued in 2006, his position sebgai compact sports car made by Toyota were replaced by the Scion tC in North America. For other regions, Toyota has not prepared a replacement.

First Generation (1970-1977)

Toyota Celica Coupe was first shown in 1970 Tokyo Motor Show in October, and began to be marketed in December 1970 in Japan. The model is marketed is 1400ET, 1600LT, 1600ST, 1600GT, and 1600GTV. Model 1600GTV engined 1600GT and the high ability 2T-G Twin Cam. Year 1972 was launched with the 2000GT model 18R-G engine.

In April 1973, the line-up Celica Liftback coupled with a more practical shape with the rear glass door that can be opened up and the back seat that folded. Liftback version is 1600ST, 1600GT, 2000ST, and 2000GT.

Celica Coupe facelift model of the front upright as Liftback models already sold in Japan in 1974, and for the export market in late 1975 to model year 1976. This model has a wheelbase slightly longer than the initial model Coupe.

In the United States, the Celica was first marketed in 1971, the 1900ST, 8R same engine as the Corona Mark II. Years in America 1972-1974 Celica 18R 2.0 liter engine, while the facelift model years 1975-1977 2.2 liter 20R engine. The new GT Liftback models enter the United in 1976, and was awarded the Motor Trend Import Car of the Year.

Second Generation (1977-1981)

Celica, which was launched in August 1977, designed by Calty Design Research in California, USA. Coupe and Liftback models remain available with a 1600cc engine, 1600cc Twin Cam, 1800cc, 1800cc EFI, 2000cc, and 2000cc Twin Cam for the Japanese market. Variant ET, LT, ST, XT, SE, GT, and GTV. In 1978 GTV was replaced by the Rally GT. In America, the Celica ST and GT remain 20R 2200cc engine.

Throughout history, the Celica's most widely produced and sold in 1978, which in America alone sold about 200,000 units. For this second generation, in the Japanese market there are 70 different models of the Celica, even though at one time there are 49 in 1979.

Facelift model with front light box was launched in late 1979 to model year 1980. Celica Sunchaser Convertible form-based semi-notchback coupe body of a car made by a company in California. To celebrate 10 years of Celica, Coupe GTA models marketed in the United States. In 1981, the engine was replaced by 20R 22R 2400cc engine.

In addition to the GT model 2T-G engine Twin Cam 1600 cc or 2000 cc 18R-G, the Celica coupe car in general is a capable regular and relatively cheap.

Celica Liftback is the basis for the second generation Celica Celica Supra XX or who later became the Toyota Supra. Celica Supra XX or having a wheelbase that is longer so that the engine room to accommodate the larger 6-cylinder engine.

Especially for the Japanese market, Toyota Celica Camry launched in 1980. Car-shaped 4-door sedan is actually a luxurious and sporty version of the Toyota Carina. Borrowing the name of the Celica is very popular at that time, this car is the forerunner of the Camry which was officially launched in 1982.

Third Generation (1982-1985)

Following the trend of the 1980s, the Celica comes with a box body design, but elegant. Coupe and Liftback remain available, and in 1984 coupled with a model with a roof can be opened, the Convertible is made by American Sunroof Corporation (ASC). As before, the engine is mounted on the Celica is a 1600cc, 1800cc, 2000cc and 2400cc for America. For the 1800cc engine is new 1S, 3T, and 3T-GTEU equipped turbo.

First to use turbo Celica GT-T is only sold in Japan. Then also created a luxurious GT-TR, and GT-TS which only 200 units for rally homologation Group B. Celica GT-TS is the basis for the Celica Twin Cam Turbo rally car that won the Safari Rally and Rally Ivory Coast between the years 1983-1986.

In Europe, Australia and some Asian countries, Celica 21R 2000cc engine is the same as the Corona Mark II model 2000XT. 2T-engined Celica 1600ST, and 2000GT with 18R-G engine is also marketed in Europe.

Facelift done for 1984 with a fully retractable headlights. Grille, taillights, and door handles are also changing. 2T-G engine was replaced by a new 4A-GE engines mounted on the Celica 1600GT and 1600GT-R. For the Australian market, the Celica 22R 2400cc engine facelift model similar to the American version.

Fourth Generation (1986-1989)

Major changes are fundamentally due to the Celica switch from rear-wheel drive to front wheel drive. Coupe models only for U.S. and export to several countries. The most basic and cheapest model is the ST. GT in the U.S. has more equipment than ST, but the same 2S-FE engine for 1986, which was later replaced by the 3S-FE engine for 1987. GT is available in Coupe, Convertible and Liftback.

In Japan, the first Celica Liftback only sold in the form, the model Convertible 3S-FE engine is present in 1987. Celica GT-R (or GT-S in America / GTI in Europe) 3S-GE engine is a terkencang with front-wheel drive. In Australia, marketed in this generation Celica ST Coupe and Liftback models with 3S-FE engine, and SX Liftback with 3S-GE engine.

Berpenggerak Celica 4WD and turbo 3S-GTE engine is equipped with intercooler, GT-Four (ST165) was launched in Japan in October 1986, and began to be exported in 1988. GT-Four initial models have a Differential Switch, while the facelift model comes with a viscous coupling limited slip differential. In the USA, GT-Four marketed under the name All-Trac Turbo.

Celica GT-Four ST165 first joined WRC in 1988. Carlos Sainz won the world rally in 1990 by riding ST165. This car also won the national rally in the UK, as well as appearing in the Rally of Indonesia in 1989 and 1990.

Fifth Generation (1990-1993)

There are four kinds of body shapes for the fifth-generation Celica, the Coupe, Convertible, normal Liftback body, and Liftback wide body. Liftback wide body has front and rear fenders wider, this body form is only for the GT-S model, GT-Four A (All-Trac Turbo), and GT-Four RC (Carlos Sainz Limited Edition). In Japan, the GT-Four also have a normal body for the years 1990-1991.

For Japan, the Celica is offered with a choice of three 2.0-liter Twin Cam engine, 3S-FE for the SR and ZR, 3S-GE to GT-R, Active Sports, and Convertible, and the 3S-GTE for the GT-Four.

4-wheel steering (4WS) in which the rear wheels can turn with a small angle standard on the GT-R and Active Sports, or optional on SR and ZR. Auto tilt-away steering wheel standard on the ZR, GT-R, and GT-Four in which the wheel would go up if the ignition is removed, and returned to its original position when the ignition is set to be installed.

In America and Australia, given the front-wheel drive Celica 2200 cc Twin Cam engine 5S-FE which energy is smaller, but big torque. While the engine 1600 cc 4A-FE 1.6 ST models only sold in the United States, Europe, and several other countries. GT-R models sold in Europe as the 2.0 GT-i 16 or better known as the GT. This contrasts with the GT in America. GT America is almost the same as the SX sold in Australia. Wide body model GT-S 5S-FE engine also the same with GT and SX. SRS airbag is standard for all models perkengkapan Celica in the United States began in 1990.

Celica GT-Four (ST185) 2000 cc engine with 3S-GTE twin-entry turbo and intercooler, berpenggerak Full-Time 4WD or All-Wheel Drive with viscous coupling center limited slip differential and Torsen rear differential. To follow the world rally championship (World Rally Championship), Toyota made 5.000 units of the GT-Four homologation special model called the GT-Four RC or Carlos Sainz Limited Edition. This model has a water-to-water intercooler that replaces the water-to-air intercooler on the regular GT-Four. Form the hood and front bumper is also different to provide better air circulation in the engine.

GT-Four Celica ST185 is the most successful in the WRC with three-time world champion Carlos Sainz in which the rally world champion for the second time in 1992. Juha Kankkunen won his fourth world title in 1993, and Didier Auriol became the first French man who became world champion in 1994. With the success of the Celica GT-Four, Toyota is Japan's first automobile factory became world rally champion. Unlike the GT-Four production version of the 5 speed manual transmission, the GT-Four for the rally has a manual transmission X-trac 6 speed.

Sixth Generation (1994-1999)

The sixth generation Celica has 4 pieces of round headlights are great. Bodynya slightly larger but lighter than the fifth generation. Coupe models only for Americans, Liftback and Convertible sold in world markets. There are five kinds of machines for the Celica, the 1.8 liter 7A-FE, 3S-FE and 3S-GE 2.0-liter, 2.2 liter 5S-FE and 3S-GTE 2.0 liter turbo.

Trim levels for the Japanese market is the SS-I, SS-II, SS-III, Convertible, and GT-Four. Model SS-I equipped with a 4-wheel steering. Model SS-II are exported to Europe and some Asian countries as a GT. SS-III 3S-GE engine with beams of high ability, sport suspension Super Strut, and specifically for the manual transmission is also equipped Helical Limited Slip Differential.

In America the 6th generation Celica was only sold in the ST-engined version of the 1800 cc and 2200 cc engined GT with a GT is different in other countries. Offered in GT Liftback and Convertible form. Optional Sport Package is only for the version of the GT Liftback. From now on all Celica for America has SRS airbags for driver and front passenger.

Like the two previous generations, the Celica GT-Four terkencang is that in this generation of coded ST205. For the Japanese version of the 3S-GTE engine in the ST205 betenaga PS 255, PS 242 while for export. For homologation rally, made 2500 units GT-Four WRC injector which has a water sprayer and a high rear spoiler.

Celica GT-Four ST205 Group A first version to compete in the Rally of Australia in 1994, and became the official car in the world rally championship (WRC) in 1995. This car also appeared in the Rally of Indonesia in 1996 and 1997.

For Australia, Celica Liftback be marketed in the form of a version of the SX, ZR, and GT-Four. SX and ZR 2200 cc engined GT the same as in America. Although the SX and ZR are basically the same, but the ZR has more luxury equipment such as alloy wheels, ABS, airbags, and cruise control. GT-Four only sold 77 units, all models WRC or Group A Rallye. Sunroof is optional equipment for all models.

In Japan, America, and Australia, the Celica is available with five speed manual transmission or 4 speed automatic, except the GT-Four that the manual only. In Europe all the Celica manual transmission, a model for Europe is 1.8 ST, 2.0 GT Liftback and Cabriolet, as well as the GT-Four.

Celica gets facelift for model year 1996. To celebrate 25 years of Celica in 1996, 25th Anniversary Limited Edition model launched based SS-III, ST Liftback and GT Convertible.

In December 1997, the Celica for the Japanese market received another facelift. 3S-GE engine on the model SS and SS-II-III received VVT-i beams. High rear spoiler comes back on the model GT-Four, and a new equipment for the SS-III. Model SS-III also comes with a front spoiler, side and rear. Projector headlights are optional.

To increase sales, some limited edition model was launched in 1998 as the SR-based Celica 1.8 ST for the UK market, as well as the Celica SX SX-R based in Australia.

Seventh Generation (2000-2006)
 

Basically there are only two models of the last generation Celica is powered ZZT230 1ZZ-FE 1.8 liter VVT-i, and high capacity engined ZZT231 2ZZ-FE 1.8-liter VVTL-i. VVT-i version called the GT in the U.S., or SS-I in Japan, while the engine VVTL-i is the GT-S in the United States, or SS-II in Japan. In Australia all VVTL-i-engined models, for both SX and ZR models.

Celica Transmission for the 1ZZ-FE engine is a 5 speed manual, 6 speed manual or 4 speed automatic. While the 2ZZ-GE engine uses six speed manual transmission or 4 speed tiptronic automatic with shift buttons on the steering wheel.

Celica is smaller and lighter than previous generations, thus providing a comparison of power and a good load and more nimble. Wheelbase is longer and a shorter front overhang also makes it more stable.

With the opening of valves imported cars in Indonesia in late 1999, the Celica is a lot of entry into Indonesia. Outstanding model here is the SX and ZR from Australia, as well as the SS-I and SS-II from Japan. Celica from Australia has a sign on the front fender light and manual air conditioning. While the Japanese Celica comes with indicator lights on the front bumper and air conditioning with digital climate control for model SS-II.

Is optional for the Celica Sports Package and Mechanical Elegant Sports Package. Elegant given only under the additional spoiler, while Mechanical has a different front bumper with larger grille, as well as full body kit includes spoilers on the bonnet and the trunk is higher.

In Europe all used Celica 6 speed manual transmission. 1ZZ-FE engine models marketed in the trim level 1.8 VVT-i Standard, Style, and Premium. While that is equivalent to the GT-S or SS-II engine called the 1.8 2ZZ-GE VVTL-i T-Sport. In 2005, also marketed the European version of the Celica GT. It is a given T-Sport body kit and larger alloy wheels, and not the same as GT in America.

2005 was the last year in the Celica America. Celica production ended in April 2006. Celica production last year was only sold in Japan.

Resources : Toyota cars collection 2011