Celica T Sport

Toyota’s Stylish Sports Coupé Gets a Slick New Look

• Available in the UK from 1 August 2001
• Second model in new Toyota T Sport range for the UK
• Links to sporting heritage and future Toyota F1 involvement
• T Sport adds further boost to younger image for Celica model
• High technology 1.8-litre VVTL-i engine, as seen in Celica 190, offers sports handling and high power across the rev range
• Six-speed manual gearbox for optimum performance and driving fun
• Unique 17″ alloy wheels
• ABS fitted as standard with Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD)
• Driver, passenger and side airbags fitted as standard
• Remote control central locking and double locking as standard
• Climate control air conditioning fitted as standard
• Thatcham approved alarm and immobiliser fitted as standard
• Lower front skirt, side skirts and rear spoiler enhance sporty styling
• Red T Sport badging on rear
• Colour keyed front headlamp covers
• Sports appeal but only one insurance group higher than Celica 190 – 16E
• Maximum speed 140mph, 0-62mph in 7.4 seconds
• Low combined fuel consumption figure of 33.6mpg
• CO2 figure of 200g/km
• Priced at £23,495 on the road including three year/60,000 mile warranty
• Bespoke full leather interior
• Sony six disc CD autochange

Today, Toyota launches a slick new look for its stylish sports coupé: the Celica T Sport. Dynamic and sporty new body styling creates a distinctive look for this highly specified top of the range sports derivative.

Celica T Sport, featuring a high tech 1.8-litre VVTL-i engine, is the second model from Toyota’s new performance brand joining its supermini namesake the Yaris T Sport. Unique exterior and interior styling include side skirts, front lower skirt, rear spoiler, T Sport branded alloy wheels and sporty leather interior projecting an individual image.

T Sport reflects Toyota’s successful motorsport heritage and ambitions for the future in F1. Celica T Sport, featuring the same 1.8-litre engine fitted to the Celica 190, offers higher performance levels than the standard Celica, yet is still as light and nimble to drive and economical to own.

Slick New Look

The lower front skirt, side skirts and rear spoiler create a stronger road presence for the already sharply styled Celica – a look enhanced by the unique eight spoke 17-inch alloy wheels. Colour keyed front headlamp covers and T Sport branding on the alloy wheel centre caps complete the overall slick sporty look. Chrome and red T Sport badging on the rear of the vehicle also helps to identify the brand.

Celica T Sport is available in four striking colours unique to the T Sport range: Lagoon Blue, Chilli Red, Thunder Grey and Storm Blue.

Sports Style Interior

The interior trim of Celica T Sport has been styled to reflect the sporting style of the car without losing any of the original quality. New, bespoke Michigan full leather upholstery embossed with Celica T Sport logo, with charcoal bolster adds to the high performance environment.

A Sony six disc CD autochanger comes as standard on Celica T Sport as well as digital climate control air conditioning and aluminium pedals carried over from Celica 190.

High Technology – High Performance

The 1.8-litre, four cylinder engine, from the Celica 190, is one of a rare breed of cars that has over 100bhp per litre. The Celica T Sport, with 106.7bhp/litre is up there with the likes of the McLaren F1 (103.3bhp/litre), the BMW M3 (106bhp/litre) and the Ferrari 360 Modena (111.5bhp/litre).

Celica T Sport offers responsive handling and with 189bhp at 7,800rpm and 180Nm at 6,800rpm it is capable of 0-62mph in 7.4 seconds (the standard Celica is 8.7 seconds) and has a top speed, where permitted, of 140mph (127mph). But it is not just fast, it is frugal too. The combined fuel consumption figure is 33.6mpg and CO2 emissions just 200g/km.

As well as four valves per cylinder and variable valve timing like all other Toyotas, the Celica T Sport also has variable valve lift. In layman’s terms that means part of the engine can physically change shape to give high power as well as smooth economy throughout the rev range. Toyota engineers changed the bore and stroke and compression ratio of the Celica 1.8-litre engine for the Celica 190 and T Sport to produce better low speed torque and higher revs.

The VVTL-i (Variable Valve Timing with Lift-intelligent) system is based on the standard VVT-i system, yet varies the intake valve timing continuously from the low speed to high speed ranges. The VVTL-i also increases the intake/exhaust valve lift when the engine speed is high, in order to increase the output and to achieve better fuel economy.

T Sport Story and Future Plans

Toyota’s creation of T Sport reflects the company’s successful motor sport heritage in the FIA World Rally Championship, the American ChampCar series, the classic Le Mans 24-Hours race and its forthcoming entry into Formula 1.

The T Sport brand embodies this motor sports excellence within the Toyota range – offering higher performance levels and positive handling and suspension characteristics. Toyota T Sport provides increased driver involvement, without compromising comfort or practicality.

The T Sport brand acts as an umbrella for Toyota sports models and is becoming a powerful and recognisable symbol of Toyota’s intelligent technology applications.

The T Sport brand has been developed to increase the aspiration of the Toyota brand as Toyota is often seen as the rational choice. The new T Sport brand builds on the successful sports car heritage of the 2000GT from the 1960s, Celica, MR2 and Supra and develops emotional appeal beyond these sports cars by bringing motorsport to the masses.

T Sport Specification Versus Competitors

Celica T Sport is consistent with the rest of the Celica range – it pitches against more powerful competitors and has a comprehensive standard equipment specification including four airbags, climate control air conditioning, 17″ alloy wheels, 6 disc CD autochanger, front lower skirt and side skirts, alarm/immobiliser and heated power mirrors. To specify some of these options on several competitors to Celica T Sport would cost up to almost £1,300 more.

TOYOTA CELICA T SPORT VERSUS COMPETITORS

(Information correct at July 2001)

All option prices taken from manufacturers’ recommended retail price lists unless accompanied by * (Jato value of item) or ** (Toyota GB estimate value of item)

1 16’’ alloy wheels standard

Europe-Wide Support

All T Sport models will benefit from the support and service of Toyota’s complete European dealer sales network and will be backed by a full three-year/60,000 mile Toyota warranty including roadside assistance. It is also backed with a three-year surface paint and 12-year anti-corrosion warranty.

Despite the increased sports performance, T Sport models will enjoy low maintenance costs and Toyota’s award winning reliability. T Sport customers will enjoy the same extended service intervals as other Celica customers with a full service being required only every 20,000 miles and a health check every 10,000.

Full Safety Package

Celica T Sport is a car that can be driven hard; but it also benefits from all Toyota’s high technology safety packages across the range. Celica T Sport features driver, passenger and side SRS airbags as standard equipment. Front seat belts are pre-tensioned with force limiters to minimise the risk of chest damage during an accident.

Efficient, Safe Brakes

The Celica T Sport boasts excellent braking performance to match its high technology engine and sports handling. Disc brakes are fitted front and rear and a full anti-lock braking system is standard. Celica T Sport is also fitted with electronic brake force distribution (EBD) to improve stability on slippery roads and under sudden braking.

The EBD control uses the ABS to optimise the distribution of braking force between the front and rear wheels in response to driving conditions and vehicle load. It also helps optimise the braking force, left to right, during cornering.

Highly-acclaimed Security

Celica T Sport has received a highly competitive Group 16E insurance rating, just one group higher than Celica 190 due to its style, sporty images and name. ‘E’ denotes Celica exceeds the Motor Industry Insurance Repair Research Centre’s (Thatcham) security requirements.

CELICA T SPORT FULL EQUIPMENT LIST

CELICA T SPORT TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

ENDS