Tuesday, August 19, 2008

2003 Toyota Celica T Sport










Toyota Celica

The Toyota Celica name has been applied to a series of popular sports cars made by the Japanese company Toyota. The name is derived from the Spanish word célico (IPA ['θeliko]) meaning "heavenly" or "celestial".

Through all generations, Celicas have been built around Toyota's high-performance inline-4 engines, although some Celicas are powered by more economical, lower performance 4-cylinder engines. The most significant change between generations occurred in 1986, when the drivetrain was changed from rear wheel drive to front wheel drive. During the first three generations, American market Celicas were powered by various versions of Toyota's R series engines. Four wheel drive turbocharged model (designated All-trac in the US or GT-Four in Japan and Europe), produced from 1986 to 1999. Variable Valve Timing came in late 1997 Japanese models, and become standard in all models from 2000 model years. Through seven generations, the model has gone through many revisions and design forks, including the Toyota Celica Supra (later known as the Toyota Supra). Body styles for Celica are Notchback Coupe, Liftback, and Convertible.

Seventh generation (2000-2006)

In 2000, Toyota began production and sales of the seventh generation Celica. It closely resembled the XYR concept with the exception of the front bumper and rear spoiler. The 2000 Celica was an element of Toyota Project Genesis, an effort to bring younger buyers to the marque in the United States.


This Celica came in two trim levels, the GT powered by a 1.8 L 4-cylinder 140 hp 1ZZ-FE engine and the GT-S powered by a 1.8 L 4-cylinder 180 hp 2ZZ-GE engine co-developed with Yamaha. Both of these engines featured Toyota's signature VVT-i (Variable Valve Timing with Intelligence) system, which continuously varied the camshaft timing. The GT-S had a more aggressive system called the VVTL-i (Variable Valve Timing with Lift and Intelligence) which would act as VVT-i until 6200 rpm when the valves opened a fraction further and provided a 40 hp boost. The GT was available in both a 5-speed manual and 4-speed automatic and the GT-S was available with a close-ratio 6-speed manual and a 4-speed manumatic.

Unfortunately, Toyota was too late to the sport compact party. However, the Celica enjoyed the spotlight for about a year or so, being that it was one of the few vehicles offering 100 hp/L for under $27,000 USD. In 2001, Honda released the Acura RSX for the 2002 model year with a 2.0 L 4-cylinder 200 hp engine, which competed directly with the Celica.

All the European models have 6 speed manual transmission, and just marketed as 1.8 VVT-i and 1.8 VVTL-i 190 or T-Sport, which are the GT and GT-S respectively.

In 2002 Toyota also made some changes on the Celica GT-S, with the revs being limited to 7800 rpm, down from 8350 rpm on the original 7th generation. (The RHD Celicas did not incur the reduction in the redline rpm) This difference results in a big hit to performance, as the 2ZZ is primarily a high-revving engine.

In 2003 the Celica received a face lift, with a revised front bumper, revised tail lights, and the addition of several new colors to the lineup. The GT-S was also now equipped with a drive-by-wire (DBW) throttle body in the manual transmission model. Throttle drive-by-wire, while shortening throttle response, comprimises the ability to use an aftermarket ECU, thus limiting tuning potential.

In July 2004, Toyota announced the Celica (as well as the MR2) would be discontinued in the United States at the end of the 2005 model year because of increasing competition and lack of sales. [1] Celica sales hit 52,406 units in 2000, but dropped sharply to 14,856 in 2003. As of November 2004, just 8,216 Celicas had been sold for calendar year 2004. Many attribute the 2004 loss in sales to the introduction of the cheaper Scion tC. This is a flawed theory, because Toyota owns Scion and is positioning the Scion tC as a successor to the Celica, as part of a greater brand positioning scheme. This leaves Toyota with only three sporty cars, the Camry Solara, the Toyota Corolla and Corolla Matrix XRS.

Exporting of the Celica ceased in July 2005. However until mid-May, customers could still order one, although it was advised they took action before that time ended. Overseas the Celica received a small restyling, with new bumpers and headlamps, continuing its sales.

In UK, Toyota released the Celica GT. This is not the same as GT in North America. The British GT is actually the T-Sport with additional body kits and bigger alloys.

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