The Toyota Celica defines the term “affordable sports car” with a striking design inspired by Indy racecars and sporty driving fun that comes backed by the brand’s core values of reliability and superior quality.
Unique one-form cab-forward design with short overhangs gives the Celica a ready-to-race look, distinguished for 2003 by freshened front and rear styling. In front, the 2003 Celica gets a new bumper/fascia with a wider upper air intake. Newly available projector-style HID (high-intensity discharge) headlights complement the car’s futuristic design, and redesigned rear lights echo the projector-style look. The sporty interior gets a redesigned center dash cluster and a reshaped LCD combination meter with improved legibility and reduced glare.
“The seventh-generation Celica is heir to the sport-compact line begun by the first Celica in 1971,” said Don Esmond, Toyota Division senior vice president and general manager. “Although markedly different from that first Celica, the current-generation model still follows the template it established for sporty design and performance that’s affordable to buy and reliable to own. Today, the Celica attracts Toyota’s youngest customers to its showrooms.”
The Celica continues in two forms, GT and high-performance GT-S, distinguished by level of performance and standard content. Both can be equipped with the optional “Action” package. Inspired by the customizing trend sweeping the sport-compact segment and designed at Calty, Toyota’s U.S. styling studio in Newport Beach, Calif., the package adds an aggressive front bumper, rocker panels, rear aero bumper and a large adjustable rear wing. The factory installed, color-matched body kit is affordably priced with a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of $1,590 and is covered under the car’s standard warranty.
Two Levels of “Go”
The Celica GT is powered by a 1.8-liter, double overhead-cam four-cylinder engine that produces 140 horsepower at 6,400 rpm and 125 lb.-ft. of peak torque at 4,200 rpm. Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i) optimizes torque delivery at all engine speeds. Teamed with the standard five-speed manual transmission, the engine can accelerate the 2,425-pound GT model from 0-60 mph in 8.5 seconds.
The Celica GT-S is the high-rpm hotrod of the duo. It’s powered by a completely different 1.8-liter, four-cylinder DOHC engine that generates 180 horsepower (100 horsepower per liter) at 7,600 rpm and 130 lb.-ft. of peak torque at 6,800 rpm. A more sophisticated Variable Valve Timing and Lift with intelligence system (VVTL-i) increases the intake/exhaust valve lift from 6,000 rpm to the redline at 7,800 rpm, providing a turbo-like rush of top-end power. Weighing in at only 2,500 pounds, the GT-S has one of the best power-to-weight ratios in its segment (13.9 lb./hp).
The GT comes standard with a five-speed manual transmission and the GT-S is equipped with a six-speed gearbox. The six-speed manual uses closely spaced ratios for first through fifth gears and a high sixth-gear ratio to maximize engine performance and fuel consumption. Both models are available with an optional four-speed electronic (4ECT) automatic transmission. In the GT-S, this transmission comes with the Sportshift control that allows manual shifting via buttons on the steering wheel. With the gear shift lever moved to the “M” position, the driver upshifts using buttons on the back of the steering wheel spokes and downshifts using buttons on the front. The combination meter indicates when “M” is selected and also shows the chosen gear.
Both Celica automatic transmissions use an Uphill Logic shift control feature to minimize unwanted upshifts and hunting between gears while driving over hills.
With the driving fun comes the traditional Celica trait of low cost of operation. The Celica GT achieves EPA city/highway mileage estimated ratings of 27/33 mpg with the manual transmission and 29/36 with the automatic. The GT-S is rated at 23/32 mpg with the six-speed manual and 23/30 with the automatic.
The front-wheel drive Celica follows a strict recipe for sports car handling: lightweight plus quick, power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering and four-wheel independent suspension, all wrapped in a super-stiff body structure. Front suspension is by MacPherson struts with offset springs and a solid anti-roll bar. Rubber bushings and anti-dive geometry help ensure compliant ride comfort and excellent steering feel. The double wishbone rear suspension uses a solid anti-roll bar and incorporates a camber-control function.
The Celica GT-S is equipped with four-wheel disc brakes. An available four-channel anti-lock brake system (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) is offered on both Celica models. The EBD feature optimizes brake pressure at each wheel for greater control under braking, especially when cornering.
The Celica GT rides on 15 x 6.5-inch steel wheels with 195/60R15 tires, while the GT-S features 15 x 6.5-inch alloy wheels and 205/55R15 tires. The GT grade offers optional 15-inch aluminum alloy wheels, and 16-inch aluminum alloy wheels are available on the GT-S.
As Sporty Inside As Out … and Practical
Celica’s cockpit-style interior design complements its racecar-inspired exterior. The low cowl provides a clear view of the road ahead. A pod-style instrument cluster contains the large analog gauges and LCD combination meter. Standard six-way adjustable bucket seats include adjustment for height.
In the GT, the front seats get a black front fabric with a choice of blue, red or silver fabric on the side bolsters, depending on exterior color. The GT-S model offers solid black seating in either fabric or optional leather-trimmed surfaces and features. The drilled-aluminum pedals and leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob add a classic sports/racer touch.
The 50/50 split fold-down rear seatbacks can be folded forward to expand carrying space. Both Celica grades come with a center console large enough to hold eight CD cases or 10 cassette tapes as well as two oversized cups. Door and seat pockets provide additional storage room.
Toyota packed both Celica models with value and kept their option lists short. Standard features on the GT include air conditioning, a deluxe 3-in-1 AM/FM/cassette/CD player with six speakers, power mirrors, tilt steering wheel, heavy-duty rear defogger and intermittent windshield wipers. An upgrade package adds power windows and door locks and cruise control, which come standard on the GT-S.
The GT-S in addition is equipped with JBL premium audio with eight speakers, integrated fog lights and a rear window wiper, features that are available as options on the GT. A power sunroof and a rear spoiler are available on both grades.
Safety
Front and rear energy-absorbing crumple zones protect the reinforced Celica passenger cabin. The front bumper, side members, and front- and center-floor cross members and door side-impact beams are all made using high tensile strength steel to help manage collision energy. Safety features include driver and front passenger SRS airbags, front passenger seatbelts with pretensioners and force limiters, two sets of rear three-point seatbelts and anchor brackets for child restraint systems (LATCH). Driver and front passenger side-impact SRS airbags are offered as optional equipment.
Toyota’s 36-month/36,000-mile basic new-vehicle limited warranty applies to all components other than normal wear and maintenance items. Additional 60-month warranties cover the powertrain for 60 months/60,000 miles and corrosion perforation for 60 months with no mileage limitation.
