Toyota's Celica T Sport (in Europe) GT-S (in North America) is a real traffic-stopper. That swoopy nose with the tiny grille, and the sweeping roof which ends in a cut-off tail really catches the eye a triumph of styling. The lines are accentuated by the upward sweeping creases in the sides. But with Toyota's new form of variable valve timing, this car is a star performer as well. The fastest Celica can reach 60 mph in 7.2 seconds, but you need to keep the revs up really high to keep moving.
Screaming engine
Power comes from the all-aluminum 1.8 liter, four cylinder unit that produces 189 bhp (106 bhp per liter) at 7,800 rpm. Maximum torque of 132 lbs ft (180 Nm) is developed at 6,800 rpm - a clear sign that this is a really sporty engine, without much power below 3,000 rpm. It features Toyota's latest VVTL-I system to increase valve lift from 6,200 rpm providing that turbo like rush of top end power. Obviously, though, you don't get much medium-range power with this engine, so you'll need to keep the revs up if you want to get there quickly.
Variable lift and timing with dual cams
On its other models, Toyota advances or retards the opening of the valves to adjust performance, but in this engine it has a system of dual cams - one cam opens the valves at low speeds, and another one at over 6,200 rpm. For each pair of valves there are two cams and a rocker. For most of the time, the low speed, low-lift cam actuates the rocker through a roller.
Meanwhile, the high-lift cam acts on a slipper which is not fixed to the rocker - so it just goes up and down without doing anything. When the speed gets up to 6,200 rpm, oil under pressure pushes a pin to lock a slipper to the rocker.
High-lift cam comes in at 6,200 rpm
From that speed to the 8,200 rpm red line, the high-lift cam operates the rockers, and the low-lift cam doesn't have any effect on it. The advantage of this system, which is similar to the VTEC system Honda has been using for about ten years, is that both the lift and valve timing of the two cams can be different.
By modern standards, the Celica is not very fast. The top speed of 130 mph means that acceleration at higher speeds will not be so hot. But it is not so bad at normal speeds so long as you keep revving that engine.
The front wheel drive Celica T Sport and GT-S are much more like sports cars than the older models. They are light, and have fairly quick, power assisted rack-and-pinion steering with a four wheel independent suspension; all wrapped in a super stiff body structure. Drag is pretty low too; the Cd is 0.32.
Good handling and performance
The front suspension on this fast car is by MacPherson struts with offset springs and an anti-roll bar. Rubber brushings help to ensure a compliant ride, but have been modified to improve steering response. The new double wishbone rear suspension consists of a wishbone with one arm going forward from the wheel, and the other going inward toward the center of the car. This design reduces dive during braking. To reduce roll, and trim the front:rear balance, an anti-roll bar is installed. As front-wheel drive sports cars go, this handles pretty well.
The cockpit style the racecar inspired exterior. The low cowl helps provide a clear view of the road ahead, but the pod style instrument cluster with large analog gauges and LCD combination meter are easy to see. Standard six-way adjustable bucket seats also include adjustment for height.
This is a fast car that offers more bang for the buck. You definitely get your money’s worth out of this sporty coupe - not least because it really looks the part.
