Toyota Celica 1978 News

Toyota is working to provide a triple challenge that mirrors its one time effort with the Celica, MR2 and Supra, but with proper sports car driving enjoyment. It has already delivered the first step with the 86, which is a leading contender for Car of the Year honours around the world,  by company chief Akio Toyoda wants more and 86 chief engineer Tetsuya Tada is hinting strongly about three cars. The Supra is likely to come next and Toyota has given a pointer with the design of its FT-HS - Future Toyota Hybrid Sports - coupe, currently on display at its flagship site on the Champs Elysees in Paris. It packs a V6 hybrid power train good for 350 kiloWatts and a 0-100km/h sprint in 4.0 seconds. "That definitely looks like a Supra replacement. And that's consistent with what we said four years ago. It's under study," Greg Gardner, product planning chief for Toyota Australia, tells Carsguide while standing alongside the FT-HS show car in Paris. He also confirms Tada's plan to head a three-model sports car development program. "The chief engineer has certainly expressed a wish to do that. It depends on the reaction to the 86." He says it would be logical for the 86 to take the slot once filled - in a very different way - by the Celica, leaving room either side. The FT-HS would run above, although without the overweight body and old-school six-cylinder engines of the Supra. "It sits in the middle. There is definitely room," Gardner says. "Supra filled a fantastic position until worldwide demand dried up. A smaller one would also be fantastic." While there is intense speculation about successors to the 86, Toyota Australia is ramping-up support for its $29,990 hero car. It has just confirmed a range of accessories for the car that is topped by a body kit - and over-done rear wing - from the factory. "The body kit was developed by Toyota. It was always going to be available to us, but it was a little delayed," he says. "It's only available on the high-grade model." There will also be suspension and brake improvements for the car, and interior cosmetic parts, but Gardner rules out any power-up equipment for the four-cylinder boxer engine developed by Subaru for the 86 and its BRZ twin. "The chief engineer definitely designed the car to be modified and he's keen to see that happen. But it's not really our core business to get into that, so we'll leave it to the aftermarket. "I know the mounting points are the same for our existing engine and an STI Subaru turbocharged engine. While we couldn't condone that from a  warranty point of view, it is possible."  

The motor show tease for the crucial new coupe has been clipped of its giant flared guards and ground-scraper nose in the first Carparazzi pictures of the real car during testing close to the Nurburgring in Germany. The 2.0-litre rear-drive hero car is being shown at the Australian International Motor Show in Melbourne in July ahead of sales in 2012. Pricing is expected to start at $35,000.

... the giant rear wing and a deep front spoiler fitted to one of the German test cars. The extra body bits hit there will be at least two versions of the born- again Celica, with turbocharging at the top end.

"I first saw her spinning around in the Pennant Hills showroom in 1994 and knew I had to have her," Morris says. I "I was actually there shopping around for a MR2, but it only took a look at the Celica to change my mind." Even the 'gulp factor' of the price tag didn't dampen his enthusiasm.  "It cost $93,000 - the list price at the time was $78,000, but it had been fitted with a few options. "It was a bit more than I went down to spend. But I couldn't argue with that, because it was about the only one left in Australia... they brought 77 out and each dealer got only one.  So I thought "if you want the car, you've got to pay". "I left a $50 deposit - that was all I had in my pocket - and came back the next day with the full payment. She was mine!" Morris says his love of the car hasn't faded a bit since that day. "It's still beautiful. Our relationship is now almost 17 years old and each day I look at her I still smile," he says.  "Everyone that notices her out on the road turns their heads to have another look - and are lost for words when I tell them how old she is.  Like any fine red, she improves with age." Morris has resisted any temptation for major modification to the Celica. "An exhaust system change and different wheels are the only mods," he says.  "Nothing needs to be changed - she is perfect.  She is very forgiving when being driven, always responsive when asked, and very exciting to drive. " I feel privileged to own her. She just gets better with age.  She's only got 92,000km on the clock - which isn't a lot for a car of that age. I don't want to wear her out". 1994 ST205 Toyota Celica GT4 Group A Rallye. Engine and outputs: 2.0-litre, 178kw Transmission: 5-speed manual, all-wheel drive How many built: 2500 world wide (to qualify for world rally entry) Australian allocation: 77 Cost When New: $93,000 Value now: $35,000

It's not called the Celica yet, and it's not confirmed for production yet, but the Toyota FT-86 Concept is the best sign yet that the world's biggest carmarker wants to put a sporty coupe back into its line-up. It is also proof that Toyota is serious about its sports car collaboration with Subaru, since the FT-86 packs a two-litre boxer engine under its bonnet that is being provided by its new go-faster partner. The Toyaru coupe should go live within a year and is likely to make it to Australia in the early months of 2011 as both a Toyota and — with visual tweaking — a Subaru. No-one at Toyota Australia is prepared to talk about the FT-86, which will be rolled out at the Tokyo Motor Show this month as Toyota tries to put some positive spin back into the car business following the global economic meltdown. Even Toyota in Japan is keeping everything but the basic details a secret. It admits the car has the 2-litre flat-four engine and says the car has an overall length of 4160mm, a width of 1760mm, is 1260mm tall and rolls on a 2570mm wheelbase. The car is a genuine five-seater with a low centre of gravity and lightweight construction. It is painted in a colour called Flash Red, with a leather-wrapped interior in black and cream. Toyota says the cabin is deliberately minimalistic to give a sporty feel, "with many of the structural elements left uncovered". The other Toyota Tokyo concept to break cover this week is the FT-EV II, an electric city car. It is nowhere near as funky as the Renault and Peugeot electric concept cars that starred at the Frankfurt Motor Show last month, but it proves Toyota is accelerating plans to have a range of plug-in cars in production in the next few years. Toyota says the EV-II is even smaller than its current baby, the iQ, but can still seat four adults. It uses drive-by-wire technology to replace the conventional steering wheel and pedals with a joystick, a move that also frees more legroom in the cabin. It has a low-set nose that even includes an extra window below the windscreen to improve visibility for parking, with sliding electric doors on both sides. Proving the EV-II is a production testbed, Toyota claims a top speed of 100km/h and an 80-kilometre range between charges, although it has yet to reveal any details of the electric powerpack or battery system.

Do you have to accept your fate, or are there steps you can take to reduce what you spend on fuel? Fortunately, some simple changes to your driving habits can save you as much as a third of your monthly fuel costs. First, consider if your car is worth keeping; if it’s an older, fuel-inefficient car, the potential savings from changing how you drive may not amount to much. You might also consider whether it makes sense to convert your engine to LPG. However, for most car owners a simpler first step will be to change your driving habits. We sometimes forget that an under inflated tyre can decrease fuel efficiency as well as our safety. Check and top-up your tyre pressure to the manufacturer’s recommendations fortnightly and it will actually save you fuel. If it’s time for new tyres, you might want to consider Eco tyres which are designed to increase fuel efficiency. Before you even get into your car, make sure you preplan your trip, since planning means you’re less likely to get lost and waste petrol or getting side-tracked for that matter. If you can help it, try to avoid driving during peak hour. When the roads are congested, it means continuous stopping and slow driving, which means your car is consuming more petrol, compared to an off-peak run. Don’t leave your engine running when you first start up your car, as excessive idling will drain fuel. Once the engine is running it is best to drive off straight away however you should drive gently till the engine reaches its usual operating temperature. Driving with your windows and sunroof open plays a part in decreasing fuel efficiency. The amount of fuel wastage is far more than putting the air conditioner on, especially when you are cursing on the motorway. Remember the air conditioner decreases fuel so try not to use it too much. You may not realise that having a heavy foot and braking heavily can significantly increase your fuel consumption. Accelerate and brake more gently, you must take notice of the red light ahead and begin to slow the car down to a stop rather than braking when you are 50 metres away. Weighing down your car with a trailer or adding wind resistance with roof racks, big side mirrors or large spoilers will all increase your car’s fuel consumption. Extra weight can lessen your efficiency by approximately ”2% for every 45kg,” Nikki Watkins from Moneywise claims. So next time you jump into your car for a drive make sure you remove any extra baggage that may be in the boot or the backseat. Driving with the correct gear is another way of lowering fuel consumption. The Royal Automobile Club (RAC) says you should always drive in the highest gear possible without straining the engine, you should also think ahead, so you can drop gears gradually which will allow you to brake gradually. The RAC claims that this will increase fuel efficiency by up to a third. The type of car you drive also affects how much you will be spending at the bowser. For example a Ford Falcon XR6 with aV6 engine will cost you anywhere between $80 to $100 for a full tank compared to a 1.8L Toyota Celica which would cost you $50 for a full tank. While you are being more fuel-efficient minded don’t forget to make use of special offers such as the petrol discount receipts, and don’t forget to take advantage of more fuel efficient fuel mixes for instance, Shell’s recently announced New Fuel Economy Formula. Shell is hoping to set a good example for the fuel industry and to provide a more economical option for motorists. Shell’s new mix will be the same price as ordinary petrol, but the company claims it offers more kilometers to the liter. The new formula was recently tested by an Australian couple John and Helen Taylor; they previously set the world record for driving around the world with only 24 tanks of petrol. The couple drove a distance of 18,000km per year an average run for the Australian motorist. The Taylors managed to average 13.3km per liter, and along the way, they also managed to make an annual saving of approximately $450. Shell says the new formula fuel will gradually be introduced at Shell service stations nationwide, including Coles Express.

I'm old enough to remember being captivated by a television ad for Toyota cars. You may remember. It started with a young person and a Corolla, moved through the Celica and Corona, to the Cressida and then the gentlemanly Crown – all to Sinatra's weepy strains of It Was A Very Good Year. For Toyota, every year was a good year. And it still is, especially if you're a bloke out to catch a bird in a Celica like the 1970s advertisement implied was possible. The problem is that today's Celica is bought by more women than men, so in the ensuing 30 years perhaps the roles have changed and it's the ladies doing the luring. Bring it on! And indeed, bring on more of the cars like Celica. Virtually forgotten on the present car market – and isn't that a huge change from the 1970s? – the Celica presents as a racy coupe with more body creases than Charles Bronson. The look is clean, with those creases inspiring movement even when the car is sitting at the kerb. Despite its slimline side windows and steeply raked front and rear glass, the cabin is roomy for two adults and even allows two children in the rear. Front-wheel-drive gives a bit more boot space than the pre-1986 rear-drive models, though it's hardly huge. In reality, the singles or couples who buy a Celica probably place cargo-carrying low on the priority list. Instead, they're into style, a bit of performance and an element of exclusivity. In its latest guise, the Celica actually runs hard and delivers high standards of roadholding. Most earlier Celicas only earned the title ¿hot¿ when they were left under a Perth summer sun for a few hours. Performance generally swung from dismal to embarrassing. Thanks to a high-revving 1.8-litre engine driving the front wheels through a six-speed gearbox – and auto is optional – the car now gets up and barks. I wheeled one around Nannup and Busselton (in WA) for the Forest Rally and, on the open roads, it went like stink and thrived on cruising. Even the suspension was compliant enough to make the occupants arrive unfazed, while the depth of sound deadening kept the cab hushed enough for conversation. There's nothing outlandish about the oily bits under the body. Its engine is purpose-built for this car – though lately also shoehorned into the Corolla Sportivo – and has a fetish for revving hard up against the 8000rpm redline. Toyota makes two Celica models – SX and ZR – with only spoilers and extra equipment separating the two. The more recent Celica model is the limited-edition TTR version that adds more gear at a discount price, effectively making the SX into a ZR for less than retail prices. Additional gear includes 16-inch alloys, alloy-look pedals, TTR badges, airconditioning and ABS. Toyota says there's $3800 of extra value stuffed into a coupe that sells for $39,998. It's a nice car but much naughtier than any of its predecessors.