Lighter, More Responsive New 7th Generation Celica

KEY POINTS

• Lighter, more responsive and affordable seventh generation Celica
• Class-leading power to weight ratio
• Very full specification for just £19,255 on the road
• Cheaper than old Celica 1.8 ST with more standard equipment
• Powerful VVT-i 1.8 16v engine
• Six speed gearbox
• Smaller outside, more spacious inside
• Striking low drag body styling
• Double door locking for extra security
• Celica Drive Plans: Peace of mind purchase and servicing
• Predicted low whole life costs
• Extended service intervals and reduced maintenance costs
• Class-leading replacement parts costs
• Low insurance group targeted

SHORT STORY

Toyota (GB) PLC began sales of the Celica in the UK in 1971. Back then when trouser bottoms were wide, T.Rex stalked the hit parade and car stylists gazed Stateside for inspiration, the Celica 1600 ST went on sale in the UK for a little over £1,300.

28 years, six generations, two World Rally Championships (1993 and 1994) and over 81,000 UK Celica sales later, Toyota has arrived at the seventh and perhaps its most visually dramatic interpretation of the Celica sports coupé.

The Celica has tracked the public’s taste for sports coupés across the years and so it is with this all-new seventh generation model. It is a bold step forward in the design and engineering of mainstream sports coupés. It demonstrates a new philosophy in sports car technology and embodies the core values of Toyota engineering – performance without compromise. Intelligent engineering replaces the ‘muscle car’ approach of the past to create a sports coupé which is striking to look at, light and nimble to drive and economical to own.

The new Celica is 90mm shorter than the previous sixth generation model but is 65mm longer in the wheelbase enabling excellent dynamic characteristics with improved interior occupant space.

It uses a new all-aluminium 1.8-litre 16v twin overhead camshaft petrol engine employing Toyota VVT-i (Variable Valve Timing-intelligent) technology which optimises power, torque and fuel consumption across a wide rev range. The engine develops 140bhp at 6400rpm and 125lb.ft of torque at 4200rpm.

The new Celica has been designed to be a lively and responsive companion on the road. A kerbweight of just over 1100kgs is achieved through intelligent construction techniques and means the car realises a power to weight ratio of around 130bhp per tonne.

Putting this into perspective, a true icon of past coupés – the Ford Capri 2.8-litre V6 – achieved roughly the same power to weight ratio as the new Celica via a much bigger capacity engine.

The new Celica, with its relatively small capacity 1.8-litre 16v engine, light construction and close ratio six-speed gearbox is proof of Toyota’s philosophy to ‘design-in’ intelligent engineering solutions to its cars. The new Celica can achieve a top speed of 127mph, accelerate from rest to 62mph (100km/h) in just 8.7 seconds and yet return a combined fuel consumption figure of 36.7mpg. Compared to the previous best selling sixth generation Celica 1.8 ST, the new car is faster, cleaner, cheaper, more frugal and even better specified.

The new Celica goes on sale in the UK on 12 November 1999. It is available in just one specification grade offering air-conditioning, a single disc Sony CD player with RDS radio cassette and 6 speakers, power windows, 16″ alloy wheels and front fog lights. On the road price is a highly competitive £19,255.

Standard safety equipment includes anti-lock brakes with electronic brake force distribution, twin front and front seat side airbags, remote central locking, alarm and engine immobiliser and double locking anti-theft door mechanisms. Force limiters and pretensioners are fitted to the front seatbelts.

UK PRICING, RANGE AND BADGING

The fully loaded nature of the Celica’s specification means that just one derivative will go on sale in the UK. Priced at £19,255 on the road the Celica will wear a VVT-i badge on its boot emphasising its advanced Variable Valve Timing–intelligent engine valve timing system.

UK buyers can also specify the new Celica with a Premium Pack at the additional cost of £1,500 taking the price of the car with Premium Pack to £20,755 on the road.

The Premium Pack includes an electric tilt and slide glass sunroof with sun shade and anti-trap function, leather front seats and a more sophisticated automatic climate control air-conditioning system.

In addition, special factory fitted 17 inch alloy wheels, similar in design to those first seen on the Celica XYR concept car unveiled at the Detroit Show in January this year, are available together with a rear spoiler for £1,200 extra. These wheels come with slightly lower profile 205/45 ZR17 tyres as standard. Together, this option of the 17 inch wheels and rear spoiler are called the Sports Pack.

A number of other Celica accessories and ‘value packs’ can be specified on the car and are detailed on page 6 of this release.

ENDS