Information

The Toyota Celica was manufactured in seven generations between 1972 and 2005. The first generation started in 1972 with the TA2x, which was delivered in two models, the LT and ST. The seventh and last generation was created between 1999 and 2005. Another Celica model is not likely to be designed. In the next diagram there’s an overview of all the Celica generations.

Generation overview

This website is about the sixth generation Celica, since this is the generation that I’ve got. This generation is delivered in five models:

Sixth gen model overview

Note: the Toyota Curren uses the same platform as the Celica (Coupe) but with a different front end, hence the continuing of the model codes: ST206 and ST207. The Curren was only sold in Japan.

In Europe and Japan the ST202 and ST205 were sold, in the US only the AT200 and ST204 were sold. As you can see in the overview only in Europe and Japan the high performance models were offered, the US only received the economic models. In Japan the ST202 was offered in three different versions: SS-I, SS-II and SS-III. SS-II had the European sport package; the SS-III had the 200 bhp BEAMS (Breaktrough Engine w/ Advanced Mechanism System) vvt-i engine. Only in the US there was a coupe version available (AT200 and ST204), this version had no opening back window, like the normal lift back version.

For all Celica models there were different options available like airbag, ABS, different suspension, air-conditioning available. In Europe there was the so-called sport package for the ST202 (in Japan the SS-II version), this package contained the following:

• Super Strut Suspension
• Sport Anti-Lock Braking System w/ deceleration sensor
• E56 gearbox (which is an E151F gearbox of the Celica Turbo 4WD (ST185) converted to FWD) w/ viscous Limited Slip Differential
• Twin pot brake callipers front

This is how the super strut suspension looks like:

Super strut suspension

The super strut suspension uses the same mounting points as the stand McPherson struts. Difference between the two is the following: Super strut uses two individual lower arms, with a link between the no. 1 arm and the strut in stead of one cast lower arm. The top of the steering knuckle is attached to the strut via a ball joint in stead of a fixed joint. The stabilizer bar is attached to the shock absorber in stead of the lower arm. The greatest benefit of this system is that it allows for greater camber changes while cornering.

The Celica GT-Four

My car, the Celica GT Turbo 4WD (ST205) was offered in Europe between 1994 and 1996. It had all available options and cost in Holland 52.000 Euros. Besides looking good in the showroom, the ST205 was used in the WRC, or World Rally Championship. The GT-Four also used super strut suspension, however in the WRC TTE (Toyota Team Europe) switched back to standard McPherson’s due to reliability issues. After two races in the 1995 season Toyota was banned from the WRC because they used an illegal turbo restrictor which allowed more air to go into the engine thus providing more horsepower.

For homologation regulations, there were 2500 WRC versions made of the GT-Four available which contained several extra features, but were all disabled. Of the 2500 cars made, 2100 were sold in Japan, 300 in Europe, 77 in Australia and the rest for general countries. The extra features contained the following:

• Water injection
• Water spray nozzles for cooling the intercooler radiator
• Turbo anti-lag, keeps the turbo at pressure
• Extra blow-off valve
• High rise spoiler w/ riser blocks
• Extra bonnet spoiler, to prevent flexing of the hood
• Might have had weight reduction, though this hasn’t been confirmed

The WRC version was only available in 1994. After 1996 the GT-Four was only for sale in Japan, where it received a minor facelift in 1996 and 1998. The facelift in 1996 contained a different rear spoiler and side skirts, different airbag system, different ABS and different 6 spoke rims. Projector headlights were an option. In 1998 the projectors were standard; other changes incorporated the original rear spoiler with riser blocks and another interior trim (dashboard, steering wheel, seat trim and side steps).

The 1998 Celica GT-Four:

See-trough image of the 1998 Celica GT-Four

Up next are the technical specifications of the Celica GT-Four.

Technical specifications of the Celica GT-Four

Finally a picture of the mighty 3rd gen 3S-GTE engine:

The 3rd gen 3S-GTE