Toyota Celica 1998 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."  

"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