Toyota Celica Press Kit

Toyota has launched an all-new Celica, with one of the most advanced engines available in a car in Australia.

The seventh-generation Celica has striking styling, new dimensions, new suspension and leading-edge driveline technology.

It is smaller overall and lighter than the vehicle it supersedes, and has 40 percent more power.

Toyota has increased Celica's wheelbase, interior space and luggage capacity, while making the overall vehicle more compact.

The new Celica has a number of firsts for the Australian market, including being the first Toyota-branded vehicle with variable valve lift and the first naturally aspirated Toyota production engine to exceed 100hp/litre barrier.

Celica is also the first Toyota in Australia with a six-speed transmission, side airbag availability and E-shift, and only the second Toyota (after recently launched Echo) with intelligent variable valve timing.

Celica's all-new 1.8 litre twin-cam 16-valve engine has intelligent variable valve timing and intelligent variable valve lift.

It delivers 140kW of power at 7600rpm.

Intake valve timing is continuously variable throughout the engine revolution range, according to driving conditions.

The engine switches to the high-lift inlet and exhaust camshaft settings at 6000rpm.

Celica's all-new engine is matched to two breakthrough transmissions Ð a six-speed manual transmission and the first TMC-produced transmission in Australia with Formula One-type electronic shift.

The four-speed direct-drive automatic transmission can be shifted using buttons on the steering wheel.

Celica's 0-100km/h acceleration time has been slashed by nearly two seconds.

Celica's improved performance is matched to improved active and passive safety, a new stronger body, double-wishbone rear suspension, a new interior and lower NVH.

Celica's improved suspension provides improved steering, handling, grip and ride.

Toyota has developed special linear control valve front dampers to optimise ride and handling of Australian specification Celica.

Celica's ABS is now four-channel, with electronic brake force distribution and a new Australian-developed gravel road strategy.

Celica's passive safety features include dual SRS airbags with force-limiting front seatbelt pretensioners and head impact protection (HIP) as standard equipment.

Celica's wind-cheating exterior was designed by Toyota's Calty studio in California.

It includes wheel spats for the first time on a Toyota in Australia and a wing-type rear spoiler.

Six exterior colours are offered.

Celica's new interior features a cross-over style cockpit, with motorcycle-style instruments, a genuine leather bound three-spoke steering wheel, drilled metal pedals (ZR model only) and race-car type front seats.

The new Celica is significantly quieter than its predecessor in all driving conditions.

Two Celica models are offered - SX and ZR - both with the choice of six-speed manual or E-shift automatic transmission.

All models have dual SRS airbags with force-limiting front seatbelt pretensioners, ABS with electronic brake distribution (standard on ZR, optional on SX), CD player with six speakers, alloy wheels with V-speed rated tyres, cruise control, wireless door locks and power windows.

Side airbags are standard equipment on Celica ZR and optionally available on Celica SX.

Recommended retail prices range from $39,950 for Celica SX manual to $46,900 for Celica ZR auto.

Toyota Celica to Double Sales

Toyota expects sales of its new Celica to be almost 50 percent greater than current demand for the sports car market leader.

Monthly volume is anticipated to be 200.

Celica is number one in the 1999 sports car market with 1,189 deliveries to September, a monthly rate of 132.

It is nine percent clear of its nearest rival and more than 33 percent ahead of the nearest hardtop rival.

Celica has dominated the sports car market for most of the decade.

More than 106,000 Celicas have been delivered in Australia since launch here in 1971.

Internationally, 3.8 million Celicas have been built since the model's inception in 1970.

Toyota expects the New Celica's styling, power and driving dynamics to have wide appeal to sports car buyers of all ages.

The enhanced performance of new Celica will be a key feature in attracting youthful sports car purchasers.

Although sports cars are largely purchased by private owners, Celica traditionally has the highest proportion of business owners in its segment.

More than 35 percent of Celicas are purchased by business customers.

Celica has developed the broadest range and the most loyal of buyers in the sports car market.

Female buyers make up 43 percent of all sales.

The predominance of sports car buyers cluster in two age groups - 25 to 29 and 40 to 54.

Celica's highest current penetration is in the 45-49 age group.

Clearly there are opportunities for the new Celica with its enhanced dynamics to appeal to new buyers while maintaining faith with its existing owners, Toyota senior executive vice president John Conomos said.

Celica owners are amongst the most loyal in the sports car market.

The sports car market is highly responsive to new product, and grows accordingly.

Celica Leads Sports Car Demand

Toyota Celica has proved largely impervious to the fluctuations which characterise the volatile sports car market.

The sports car market, as defined by industry statistician VFACTS, has in the last five years accounted for between 1.6 percent and 2.2 percent of total annual passenger vehicle sales.

This year it is running lower, at 1.4 percent to end September.

On average 10,000 sports cars are sold in Australia each year.

VFACTS' definition of sports cars includes only those selling beneath the luxury tax threshold.

Celica is the most in demand of sports cars.

It has averaged just under 2,000 deliveries a year for the past four years to claim an average market share of 19.3 percent.

Planned deliveries for the new Celica should carry it to even greater share.

Celica is the first of a new breed of sports cars from Toyota, the company's senior executive vice-president John Conomos said.

It precedes the new MR2-Spyder, due in 2000, and which uses much of the breakthrough Celica VVTL-i engine technology.

MR2-Spyder was previewed in prototype form at this year's Sydney Motor Show.

Toyota's previous sports car range of Celica, MR2 and Paseo had accounted for almost one in four sports car sales in Australia.

Toyota's Top Gun

Tadashi Nakagawa, Toyota's sports car specialist, has been Celica chief engineer since 1990.

He lives in the Hakone Hills east of Nagoya and drives to work through mountainous S-bends.

He was one of the first to explore the sports benefits of a power to weight ratio driven by a severe weight-down policy.

As early as 1994, at the Australian launch of Celica GT Four Group A, he was working on the design of the new MR2-Spyder, now due for release in 2000.

He spent a night in the officers' mess of the Tindal Airforce base at Katherine in the Northern Territory, drawing table napkin diagrams for media of his plans for the new car.

They were perhaps the first drawings made of the new car and closely resemble the vehicle soon to go into production.

Mr Nakagawa called for design concepts of new Celica from Toyota's global styling centres.

The winning Californian CALTY design is the first time any Celica has been externally styled outside Japan.

Two Model Grades for Celica

Toyota's new Celica sports car is offered in two model grades. The new Celica SX and ZR both have Toyota's new intelligent variable valve timing and variable valve lift-equipped engine and the choice of six-speed manual or E-shift four-speed automatic transmission.

Standard equipment includes dual front airbags SRS with force-limiting seatbelt pretensioners, CD player, alloy wheels with V-speed rated tyres, rear spoiler, front bumper with integrated spoiler, leather-covered three-spoke steering wheel and gearshift knob, and cruise control (with control stalk mounted on the steering wheel).

Optional equipment for Celica SX includes moonroof, ABS anti-skid brakes and front side airbags SRS, or the combination of all three.

Celica ZR's standard equipment includes ABS anti-skid brakes, front side airbags SRS, front foglamps, six-disc in-dash CD player, drilled alloy pedals, chrome scuff plates, electric moonroof, 16 inch alloy wheels and high-performance 205/50 R16 87V Yokohama A860 Advan tyres.

Air conditioning is a dealer-fit option for both models.

The moonroof is a delete option for Celica ZR.

Toyota Celica's Motor Sport History

Celica made Toyota the first Japanese company to win the Australian Manufacturers' motor racing Championship (in 1981).

It claimed two Manufacturers' Championships in the world rally title in 1993 and 1994.

And it carried Carlos Sainz, Juha Kankkunen and Didier Auriol to world drivers' championship series victories on four occasions (Sainz won twice).

Neal Bates and Coral Taylor won three Australian Rally Championships in Toyota Celica.

Celica won 42 individual world rally championship events.

It dominated the rugged East African Safari, claiming seven victories over two decades.

And it won three RAC rallies.Celica has won the Asia Pacific Rally Championship as well as national titles in France, Germany and the Middle East.

This year, driven by Toyota Australia development engineer Graeme Gambold, it won the Victorian Rally Championship (Group A category). Gambold is one of a small global team of Toyota Top Gun test drivers.

Celica also stamped its mark in motor sport history by becoming the first race vehicle to carry an in-car camera.

Peter Williamson installed the Australian developed camera for the 1979 Bathurst 1000.

Toyota Team Europe president Ove Andersson was responsible for Celica's motor sport development.

He began the works race team in 1972, less than two years after Celica's launch, and drove it to an impressive ninth outright in the RAC Rally, beating the then highly favoured works Nissans.

TTE grew to a company of more than 300 people, now concentrating on fielding a Formula One team by 2002.

Celica Model History

Toyota Celica Recommended Retail Prices

Chief Engineer has Three Design Objectives

Toyota Celica's chief engineer Tadashi Nakagawa had three design objectives for the new model.

These were styling, performance and value for money.

Mr Nakagawa has been chief engineer of Celica since 1990.

The Celica is seen world-wide as a pioneer sports specialty vehicle, and the name is synonymous with the category, he said.

In defining this vehicle as something you can enjoy looking at, and enjoy riding and driving, we have returned to the original development concept to produce a vehicle which will attract young buyers in the 21st Century.

We concentrated our development concept on three key words.

1. Styling
The new package has implemented a fresh approach to proportions. The overall length is shorter, but the wheelbase has been extended for a bold four-corner wheel positioning and a strong-looking design.

2. Performance
By utilising a new engine, a new transmission and a new suspension, the Celica has high functionality, a light, lively feeling, placing it firmly into the top level of sports specialty vehicles.

3. Value for money
Toyota has priced this vehicle in a range in which many young people can afford to buy.

Mr Nakagawa said he had also given consideration to safety and the environment, utilising a world-class collision-safe body, side airbags and ABS - as well as using recyclable material whenever possible.

I have a deep conviction that seventh generation Celica will meet customer expectations for a vehicle which can be purchased with pride Ð as a trend-setter in the world of sports specialty vehicles.

Celica's Exterior Designed at Calty

Celica's avant-garde exterior was designed at Toyota's Calty design studio in California.

The striking seventh generation Celica was created to appeal to young singles and couples.

It has a sports silhouette with cabin-forward styling and short overhangs.

The new Celica is shorter and slightly narrower than the superseded model, but has a longer wheelbase.

Its front styling is aggressive, with a low-style bumper and integrated lower-half spoiler, long, triangular four-lamp headlamp cluster with built-in front signal lamps in skeleton extensions, side-turn signal lights with clear lens in the fenders and a bonnet bulge with air intake.

The headlamp package has projector-type low beam and multi-reflector type high-beam, for enhanced style and illumination.

Celica ZR has the added feature of projector-type foglamps in the brake-cooling intakes.

Celica's side design features voluminous front and rear fenders, and a waist line which rises from the door mirror, to add emphasis and dynamic appeal.

The roof line is emphasised near the driver's seat, gradually curving to the rear.

The overhangs are boldly shortened, with the tyres at the corners of the vehicle.

Celica's rear styling includes three-dimensional style crystalline tail lamps and a large rear bumper which gives a wide and low stance.

The rear high-mount stop lamp (mounted above the rear window) incorporates the rear window washer jet.

A wing-type rear spoiler is standard equipment.

A glass colour-coated moonroof is standard equipment on Celica ZR.

The moonroof slides back and out of its aperture, so headroom is not affected.

Chrome badges are used in lieu of the previous Celica's decals.

The SX badge is chrome only and the ZR badge has a red highlight.

Two unique alloy wheel designs are offered.

Celica SX has 15-inch alloy wheels with five pairs of spokes. It has 55 aspect ratio tyres.

Celica ZR has five-spoke 16-inch alloy wheels with 50 aspect ratio tyres.

Six exterior colours are offered, including four new colours.

The colour range is: Glacier White, Cold Steel, Ebony, Raven, Cherry and Galaxy Blue.

The new Raven colour has two types of colour pigment Ð black and blue Ð in the top clear coat.

As a result, the paint can appear black or blue, depending on surrounding light conditions.

Celica has Rigid, Lightweight Body

Toyota's new Celica was designed for a high ratio of body rigidity to weight.

The highly rigid, lightweight body contributes to performance, fuel economy, active and passive safety, handling and NVH reduction.

Body weight (for the body in white) has been reduced by 10kg.

Torsional rigidity has been increased by ten percent compared with the superseded model.

Special attention has been paid to reducing NVH while achieving high body rigidity.

Celica's body shell and underbody make extensive use of high-strength steel sheet, to achieve the designed combination of high strength and light weight.

High-strength sheet steel is used for the doors, dual side-impact protection beams, bonnet, the entire front door surrounds, the full length of the rocker panels, the front chassis rails, the front bumper reinforcement, the front floor cross member, the main cabin floor cross member and the tops of the front suspension towers.

Toyota has maximised body rigidity while maintaining weight targets, by placing reinforcements in key locations and optimising the strength of the joints in the body shell and underbody.

Celica has significant body reinforcement for both frontal and side impact protection, and to reduce NVH.

The front and rear bumper reinforcements are joined to the side members by reinforced joints, to optimise torsional rigidity and lateral bending rigidity for the entire body.

The front bumper reinforcement uses a B-section structure and is made of super high-tensile steel sheet (980 MPa), to optimise crash worthiness.

The front side members are made of varying thickness steel sheet, with the thin-section sheet at the front and the thick portion near the firewall, to achieve efficient management of collision energy.

This is part of Toyota's CIAS (collision impact absorbing structure) frontal impact protection strategy Ð which promotes controlled deformation to absorb and dissipate crash energy.

Toyota has reinforced the kick-up portion of the side members, to suppress deformation in that area (from impact energy transmitted through the suspension members) and hence reduce intrusion into the toe board area.

Celica has also been reinforced around the cowl-top side braces, to increase crash protection and reduce NVH.

Cabin rigidity has been increased by optimal construction and allocation of the front floor cross member, seat brackets, the rocker panels, centre floor cross member and the rear cross member.

The increased cabin rigidity increases passive safety and reduces interior noise levels.

Toyota has reinforced Celica's liftback opening, to increase rigidity.

Side Impact Protection: Celica has a comprehensive side collision impact absorbing structure, to absorb side collision impact energy while maintaining structural integrity of the cabin space.

The impact absorbing structure includes reinforced rocker panels, reinforced front and centre floor cross members, reinforced front and centre cross member joints, dual side impact beams in the doors, and inside and outside door reinforcements at the belt line.

The front cross member is made from high-tensile steel, to maximise floor rigidity and side impact protection.

The joint between the rocker panels and the main centre floor cross member has special reinforcement sections.

New Celica has More Space

Toyota's new Celica has more interior space than its predecessor.

Toyota has increased Celica's interior space and luggage capacity, while making the overall vehicle more compact.

The new Celica is shorter and more narrow than the vehicle it supersedes, but has a longer wheelbase.

Overall length has been reduced by 90mm to 4335mm and width by 15mm to 1735mm.

Celica's wheelbase has been increased by 65mm to 2600mm.

Overall height has increased by 10mm to 1315mm.

Celica's front legroom has been maximised, by locating the pedals 20mm further forward in the vehicle.

Headroom has been increased by 31.1mm and by 11mm for moonroof models thanks to Celica's slightly taller roof line.

The gain in rear headroom has been achieved by moving the rear header rail 50mm forward in the vehicle.

Rear headroom has been maintained in moonroof-equipped models by developing a new moonroof which slides back and out of its aperture.

More Luggage Capacity:

Celica's luggage capacity has been increased by 40 litres (14 percent), to 323 litres.

Rear loading height has been reduced to 786mm, for greater ease of access.

The new luggage area has a flat load floor area, an under-floor storage area, luggage tie-down hooks, an oddments tray and a hook for a shopping bag.

Celica has Wind-Cheating Exterior

The new Celica is the first Toyota in Australia with wheel spats as standard equipment.

Celica's underbody aerodynamic features include an engine undercover and spats for the front wheels, to smooth airflow around the tyres.

Celica's underbody aerodynamics also include an optimally shaped fender liner, for smooth underbody airflow.

The suspension parts, fuel tank and exhaust system have been streamlined and laid flat for smoother airflow.

Celica's aerodynamic features include a new low-set front bumper to smooth airflow under the floor and to both sides of the body.

The height and shape of the rear bumper smooths the out-flow from under the floor.

Celica's engine cover and fender liners have been flattened and optimally positioned, for smoother airflow.

The rear quarter of the body was designed to reduce turbulence in the airflow from the sides of the body, the windows and the roof Ð and hence reduce the rolling effect in the vehicle's wake.

Upper body aerodynamic features include minimising level variances between windscreen and roof, the roof and liftback panel, the windscreen, pillars and side window glass, and the roof and moonroof.

Air intake openings were designed to maximise airflow to the engine, while creating maximum aerodynamic smoothness.

Celica has a coefficient of drag of 0.32, and a low coefficient of lift front and negative rear lift.

Its front and rear lift coefficients are 0.018 and -0.02 respectively.

A rear spoiler is standard equipment on all Celica models.

Celica has Cross-Over Cockpit

Toyota Celica has a cross-over style cockpit, as part its all-new interior.

Celica's interior was designed at Toyota's Design Centre in Toyota City, to create a sporty driving experience.

The dashboard is made of two curves, to encapsulate the driver and passenger in a sports environment.

Highlights of the new interior include the use of perforations and chrome, as well as new circular HVAC vents.

Dual SRS airbags and force-limiting front seatbelt pretensioners are standard equipment.

The dashboard has a large console box, dual cupholders with dual-purpose facility (for CD or sunglasses storage) and an in-dash storage box with cover.

Cabin storage locations also include glovebox, door pockets, passenger's seat-back map pocket, coin box in centre console, rear cup holders in the moulded armrests and a full-length centre console box with lid.

The centre console box can hold ten cassettes or eight CDs.

There are further designated storage locations in Celica's luggage area Ð a shopping bag hook, a luggage tray and a box under the luggage area floor.

Celica's new three-eye style combination meter has orange on black motorcycle-style analogue speedometer and tachometer, with the zero on each scale at 6 o'clock on the gauge face.

LCD indicators are used for the fuel and temperature gauges, while retaining a sporty feel.

The odometer and trip meters are also liquid crystal displays.

Automatic models have a PRND2L display and a display for the actual gear in use when the driver is using the M mode (E-shift).

Celica has a genuine leather bound three-spoke sports steering wheel (with perforated leather on the 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock positions and pad area) and a matching leather gear knob.

The steering wheel for the automatic model has E-shift buttons.

The steering column has stepless tilt adjustment.

Manual and automatic Celica have drilled metal pedals (ZR only) and driver's footrest plate.

New Seats: Celica has all-new sports seats.

The racing-car style front seats have integrated headrests and large, well-padded side bolsters.

The seats are six-way adjustable, for seat height, slide and tilt.

Seat height is adjustable over a 29mm range.

Design features in the front seats include S-springs and a sub-wire across the lumbar area, to improve seat support and comfort.

High-density, low-rebound pad material is used for the seat cushion pad, to better absorb vibration.

Celica's new seats have Jersey fabric, which features black material in the centre and coloured highlights for the bolster sections.

SX has blue highlights and ZR has red highlights.

The 50/50 split-fold rear seat has flat woven amethyst trim.

The child restraint anchorage points are built into the rear seat frame and hidden by flush-fitting covers for an integrated look.

The seat-back CRA design means there is virtually no intrusion by child restraint stays into the luggage area.

The rear seatback latches have a red mark, which shows above the seat when the latch is not engaged.

Side airbags are built into the front seats.

The side airbags are standard equipment on Celica ZR and optionally available on SX.

New Audio Systems:

Celica has all-new audio systems, specially developed for Australian Toyota models.

Celica SX's audio system has:
* electronic touch-tune AM/FM radio
* digital clock
* single disc CD player with Repeat, Random and Skip/Search functions.

The system has six speakers, including high-mounted tweeters for optimal high-frequency clarity.

Celica ZR has a full-logic radio cassette with six-disc in-dash CD changer.

Multiplex Communications Facility Reduces Wiring Complexity

Toyota's new Celica has a multiplex communications network.

The multiplex network improves vehicle functions while reducing the complexity of the wiring harness and hence reduces weight.

The door-control relay, integration relay, combination light ECU and wireless door lock ECU functions have been unified and various new features have been added.

Celica has dedicated electronic control units for the engine, body and combination meter.

These ECUs control vehicle functions as diverse as the transponder engine immobiliser and wireless door locks.

Celica's power window system includes one-touch auto up with jam protection for the driver's window and key-off operation Ð the windows can be closed after the ignition is turned off.

Celica's body ECU allows for:

* all three doors to be locked and unlocked simultaneously using either the door lock control switch or the driver's or passenger's door key

* driver/passenger's left-key prevention function on the door lock

* manual unlock prohibit function

* wireless remote control of the door locks

Celica has a new ignition key, with built-in ignition transponder and two-button transmitter Ð for lock and unlock.

New Electronic Features:

Celica has a range of new and improved electronic features, including three-sensor airbag SRS control and cruise control as standard equipment.

The cruise control has a new actuator, which directly controls the throttle valve.

There is no movement of the accelerator pedal while cruise control is in operation.

Celica's light control includes a battery saving function for the dome lamp.

The lamp is automatically extinguished if the key is not in the ignition switch and the lamp has been in operation for 20 minutes.

Celica's dome lamp automatically illuminates for 15 seconds when the doors are unlocked by door key or wireless operation.

The dome lamp fades out immediately when either all doors are locked or the ignition switch is set to ACC or ON.

Celica's electronic and electrical systems now have the added reliability of separate fuses for each electrical sub-system.

Celica Engine is all New

Toyota's all-new Celica engine has state-of-the-art production-engine features.

The Yamaha-built 1.8 litre engine has 40 percent more power than the 2.2 litre engine it supersedes in Celica.

It has the highest specific power output of any naturally aspirated engine in the Toyota range.

The 1796cm3 Celica engine delivers 140kW of power at 7600rpm and 180Nm of torque at 6800rpm.

Celica is the first Toyota model in Australia with variable valve lift and only the second with variable valve timing.

The intelligent Toyota system (VVTL-i) offers infinitely variable inlet timing across the revolution range and provides high-lift for both camshafts when engine revolutions exceed 6000rpm.

Toyota has adopted leading-edge engine technology throughout the new Celica engine, for maximum fuel efficiency, low emissions, light weight, low NVH and high performance.

Features of the Celica 2ZZ-GE engine include:

* a compact, externally ribbed all-alloy cylinder block with metal matrix composite (MMC) material cylinder walls to achieve linerless construction. The alloy block delivers maximum thermal efficiency and minimum weight.
* passage holes in the crankshaft bearing area of the block, to reduce pumping losses within the engine and hence boost performance
* a water-pump swirl chamber and the inlet passage to the pump integrated into the block, to save weight, space and complexity
* a full ladder-type crankshaft bearing cap, to maximise rigidity and reliability, and reduce noise. The full-ladder bearing cap also improves the coupling to the transaxle.
* a bearing cap with chill-fitted cast-iron inserts around the journal portions, to resist heat deformation.
* the oil-filter bracket, air conditioner compressor bracket and rear oil-seal retainer are integrated into the bearing cap to reduce the number of parts
* serpentine belt drive to the auxiliary equipment, to reduce engine length, number of parts and weight
* a fully balanced crankshaft and thin, lightweight, high-strength connecting rods to reduce reciprocating weight and friction
* a square bore and stroke relationship to boost torque (82.0mm x 85.0mm)
* flat-topped pistons with valve clearance cut-outs to achieve an 11.5:1 compression ratio. The pistons are iron and tin-coated to reduce friction.

Cylinder Head Design:

Toyota Celica has an all-alloy Twin Cam Multi-valve cylinder head.

The valve seats are made by welding high-resistance material into the port, then machining a valve seat into the material.
The resulting valve seat can be made thinner than a conventional shrink-fit valve seat, for improved air flow and better cooling around the valve area.

The camshaft drive is by 8mm pitch roller chain, with a lubricating oil jet and auto tensioner.

The Celica engine has long straight intake ports, to further boost engine breathing.

It has narrow valve stems, to reduce intake resistance and valve-train mass.

The fuel injection nozzles are located in the inlet ports, to prevent wall wetting and fuel adhesion to the walls of the port, thereby reducing hydrocarbon emissions.

Celica's compression ratio has been set at 11.5:1, for optimum combustion efficiency and power output across the revolution range.

The combustion chambers have a tapered squish design, to improve thermal efficiency and reduce the chance of engine knock (pre-ignition).

The squish angle has been shaped obliquely along the wall surface of the combustion chamber, to improve airflow, promote swirl and speed flame travel.

Further features of the Celica engine's top end are:

* an aluminium intake manifold with a die-cast aluminium air chamber and a resonator to optimise mid-range torque. The intake duct has a variable valve, which is closed at low engine revolutions to reduce noise.

* sequential electronic fuel injection with four-hole injector nozzles mounted in the inlet ports, for maximum fuel atomisation and reduced wall wetting

* an L-type hot-wire air flow meter for the EFI, for more accurate air-flow measurement and hence more accurate fuel/air mixing

* a four-into-two-into-one extractor-type exhaust system (using a metal separator plate in the exhaust union), to boost torque

* double-walled front exhaust pipe, for maximum performance and durability, and lower emissions

* rearward-facing exhaust, which combines with the double-walled front pipe to improve catalytic converter performance and hence reduce emissions. The catalytic converter has thinner walls to further improve heat-up rate.

* a cross-flow type aluminium radiator for improved cooling, increased recyclability and reduced weight.

Service weight of the Celica engine has been reduced by nearly 25 percent compared with previous engine.

Additional fuel and emission saving technology includes computer engine management, individual Toyota Direct Ignition for each of the four cylinders and electronic spark advance with a knock control system.

Further serviceability improvements include Multiplex engine diagnostics (which can detect a malfunction and memorise the failed section).

Toyota Celica also has a fuel cut-out device, which activates if the airbag SRS is deployed.

VVTi and Variable Lift Transform Celica

The new Celica is the first Toyota vehicle in Australia with variable valve lift.

Toyota Celica's state-of-the-art 1.8 litre 2ZZ-GE engine has intelligent variable valve timing and intelligent variable lift (VVTL-i).

The variable valve timing and variable lift technology gives Celica a combination of driveability, fuel efficiency, low emissions and high performance.

Toyota's intelligent infinitely variable valve timing system is more advanced than the binary systems in some German luxury vehicles and Japanese small cars.

VVTi is a flow-down from the Lexus luxury car program and the Prius hybrid vehicle.

Celica has the latest-generation TMC-developed vane-type VVTi control, which is used on Prius, Lexus IS200 and Echo.

Intelligent variable valve timing will go into widespread use on Toyota vehicles.

VVTi provides continual variations of the intake valve timing, to provide ideal valve timing (and hence ideal engine characteristics) for the full range of driving conditions.

High Lift, Long Duration: Toyota's variable valve lift system operates on the inlet and exhaust valves. The Toyota 2ZZ-GE engine switches to the high-lift camshaft settings at 6000rpm. The high-lift cam lobes increase intake lift by 54 percent to 11.2 mm and exhaust lift by 38 percent to 10.0mm.

The high-lift cam profiles have the effect of increasing valve-opening duration, and therefore the range of inlet timing variation.

Valve overlap can vary between 4 degrees (full-retard inlet setting and low-speed lift settings) and 94 degrees (full advance inlet and high- speed lift settings).

A valve overlap of 94 degrees would normally be associated with full race engines.

For comparison, superseded Celica's 5S-FE engine had six degrees of valve overlap and the sports two-litre 3S-GE engine in the first front-drive Celica model had 14 degrees of overlap.

Inlet camshaft timing is varied according to engine revolutions, throttle position, inlet camshaft angle, engine coolant temperature and intake air volume.

Variable Timing Activation:

Toyota Celica's VVTi is a computer controlled and oil-pressure activated push-push type system, using the engine oil.

The engine ECU can command the system to advance or retard the inlet camshaft timing, thereby providing for faster response.

The hardware is a camshaft timing oil control valve (mounted adjacent to the inlet camshaft gear wheel) and a VVTi controller mechanism built onto the inlet camshaft timing gear.

The camshaft timing oil control valve is a spool valve, controlled via a coil and plunger by the engine ECU.

It can signal advance, hold or retard.

The VVTi controller consists of a housing on the front of the timing wheel, driven from the timing chain, and a four-bladed vane coupled with the intake camshaft.

When the engine ECU requires a change in inlet timing, it signals the oil control valve to provide oil pressure to either the advance or retard side of the four vane chambers.

Inlet cam timing is set to the maximum retard position for engine start-up, operation at low engine temperature, idle and engine shut-down.

A locking pin in the controller locks the camshaft timing in the maximum retard position for engine start-up and immediately after start-up (until oil pressure is established) to prevent any knocking noise.

Celica's VVTi system can vary inlet camshaft timing over a range of 43 degrees relative to crankshaft angle.

However, the variable lift system has the effect of increasing valve opening duration, so the full range of inlet timing variation is 68 degrees.

(Taken from the maximum retard intake valve opening in the low-medium engine speed range at minus 10 degrees BTDC to the maximum advance intake valve opening in high engine speed range at 58 degrees BTDC.)

Variable Lift Activation:

Toyota's intelligent variable valve lift system uses a cam change-over mechanism to increase the lift of the intake and exhaust valves when engine revolutions exceed 6000rpm.

The hydraulically activated variable-lift mechanism is electronically controlled by the engine ECU and shares some of its hydraulic control hardware with the VVTi system.

It has the same system inputs as the VVTi system - crankshaft angle and revolutions, air flow, throttle position, inlet camshaft angle and engine coolant temperature.

The variable-lift system will not operate until coolant temperature reaches 60 degrees.

The mechanism includes camshafts with two sets of cam profiles, for low-to-medium engine speed and high engine speed (high lift).

The full system includes eight rocker arms (one for each pair of valves), two rocker shafts (located inboard of the camshafts) and a spool-type oil control valve on the aft end of the inlet camshaft.

The rocker arms are the heart of system.

They have an integrated needle roller cam follower, a rocker arm pad and hydraulic rocker arm pin.

In normal operation, the low-to-medium speed cam acts on the needle-roller cam follower and the rocker arm operates its pair of valves.

Meantime, the rocker arm pad rides against the high-lift cam lobes, but moves freely within the rocker arm.

In this state, the rocker pad does not contribute to rocker arm movement and therefore makes no contribution to valve activation.

When the engine is operating in the low-to-medium speed ranges, the oil control valve is open to the drain side.

However, when engine revolutions exceed 6000rpm, the oil control valve closes the drain side and hydraulic pressure flows through the rocker shafts to the hydraulic rocker arm pin.

The hydraulic pressure pushes the rocker arm pin out to lock the bottom of the rocker arm pad.

With the rocker pad locked in its full extended position, the high-lift (high-speed) cam lobes now operate the rocker arm and hence its pair of valves.

When engine revolutions drop below 6000rpm, the oil control valve opens on the drain side, to relieve pressure on the cam changeover mechanism and allow the system to return to normal lift conditions.

Celica's 2ZZ-GE engine has shim-type valve clearance adjusters and narrow valve stems to optimise gas flow.

New Suspension for Celica

Toyota Celica has all-new rear suspension and improved front suspension.

The new suspension improves straight-line stability, turn-in, steering feel, ride comfort and NVH.

The new Celica has double wishbone rear suspension, compared with MacPherson (or Chapman) struts on the superseded model.

The combination of Celica's stiffer body platform, reduced weight, shorter overhangs and new suspension provides significantly improved handling.

In addition, Toyota has developed new linear control valve front dampers for Australian-specification Celica, to maximise driving stability and ride comfort.

Celica's double-wishbone rear suspension accurately controls wheel movement through the full suspension stroke, ensuring maximum tyre contact with the road.

The rear suspension geometry includes a toe-correcting function, to optimise turning stability and straight-line stability under brakes.

The rear springs are mounted below the dampers, increasing suspension rigidity and allowing for a low floor height in the vehicle.

The rear stabiliser bar is ball-joint mounted to reduce uncontrolled body roll.

Special rubber rear bushings have been adopted, to optimise drivability and stability.

Improved Front Suspension:

Celica's front suspension is an improved MacPherson-strut system.

Suspension travel has been increased and suspension stiction (sticking friction) has been decreased Ð to improve ride comfort.

The steering box and suspension bushings have been repositioned to improve steering feel.

The new front suspension has L-shaped lower arms and low-pressure gas-filled dampers with a linear control valve.

The linear control valve is unique to Australian Celica.

It is a more sophisticated system than the two-stage dampers Toyota developed for MR2 and sixth generation Celica.

The linear control valve ensures that changes to damping force are constant at low damper velocities.

This reduces body roll and smooths vehicle response to steering input.

The damping force reduces at medium and high damper velocities, to reduce vehicle vibration on rough road surfaces.

The linear control valve consists of a C-valve, a cut-out valve and a leaf valve.

These valves adopt a laminate construction and form orifices.

At low damper velocities, the damper fluid flows through the cutouts of the valves to achieve a linear damping force.

At medium and high damper velocities, the valves flex to increase the volume of fluid flow, thereby reducing damper force.

Celica's front suspension hardware also includes a ball-jointed stabiliser bar and special rubber bushings to improve steering feel.

The front suspension geometry includes anti-dive and anti-lift Ð to reduce pitching under braking and acceleration and improve ride comfort.

Double-row angular wheel bearings have been adopted front and rear, for low rolling resistance.

Celica SX has 15-inch alloy wheels and V-speed rated 205/55 R15 Toyo Trampio R19 tyres.

Celica ZR has 16 inch alloy wheels and V-speed rated 205/50 R16 Yokohama Advan A680 tyres.

Celica has Six-speed Transmission

The new Celica is the first Toyota in Australia with a six-speed manual transmission.

Toyota developed the new C60 six-speed manual transmission to increase driving enjoyment and provide a gear for every corner.

The six-speed manual transmission is standard equipment in Celica.

An electronically controlled four-speed automatic transmission with Formula One style E-shift is available as an option.

The Toyota C60 manual transmission has close ratios from first to fifth gears, and a tall sixth gear for increased fuel economy and reduced noise on the highway.

All forward gears in the C60 transmission are constant mesh, which use an inertia lock key type synchromesh mechanism.

Particular attention has been paid to shift quality, with a crisp, short-throw lever and positive shift feel.

The C60 transmission has double-cone synchromesh on the first-second change, to improve shift quality and gearbox durability.

Shift feel has been further improved by adopting Teflon bushings on the support portion of the shift and selector shaft, a mass damper on the shift and selector shaft, and a rolling-type lock ball assembly.

The shift pattern has fifth and sixth gears on the same longitudinal plane.

Reverse gear is forward and away from the driver.

A spring-loaded mis-shift function has been adopted to prevent mis-shifting into reverse gear when selecting either first or second gear from neutral.

In addition, new Celica has a reverse shift warning buzzer, which sounds when the manual shift lever is shifted into reverse.

The Toyota C60 transmission has ratios of: first, 3.166; second, 2.050; third, 1.481; fourth, 1.166; fifth, 0.916; sixth, 0.725 and reverse, 3.250. It is matched to a final drive ratio of 4.529:1.

Celica's clutch has a diaphragm turnover mechanism for crisper clutch action.

Clutch plate thickness has been increased by 11 percent compared with superseded Celica, to increase durability.

The new 212mm diameter clutch has 199cm2 of facing area.

E-Shift for New Celica

The new Celica is the first Toyota product in Australia with E-shift.

Celica's optional four-speed automatic transmission can be shifted using Formula One-type electronic shift buttons on the steering wheel.

Celica automatic's floor-mounted gear-shift lever positions are - 1st, 2nd, M-D, Neutral, Reverse and Park.

The M position is located to the side of the D-range.

When the shift lever is in the M position, the driver can select gears (at the desired timing) with the shift up/down switches on the steering wheel.

The shift down switches are located on the front surface of the steering wheel spokes.

The shift up switches are located on the rear surface of the spokes.

Shifting to the desired gear can be made with finger-tip ease.

Gear position indicator lamps in the instrument panel give the driver the gear-position status.

The transmission's electronic control unit retards the ignition during E-shift down changes, to ensure smooth shifting.

Celica's electronic transmission control includes a special function which controls shifting when travelling uphill or on a winding road with uphill and downhill sections.

The transmission ECU calculates throttle opening angle and acceleration rate to determine whether the vehicle is travelling uphill.

The shift control function holds the transmission in third gear rather than have it hunt between third and fourth gear.

Mechanical features of the U240E transmission include a centrifugal fluid pressure cancelling mechanism and clutch optional pressure control.

The combination of these features provides smoother shifting and halves shift-lag, for improved response.

Toyota's U240E transaxle has ratios of: first, 3.943; second, 2.197; third, 1.413; fourth, 1.020 and reverse, 3.145.

It has a counter-gear ratio of 1.020:1 and a final drive ratio of 3.120:1.

Features of the new U240E automatic transmission also include a super-flow torque converter, which was computer modelled to determine the optimum blade shape and curvature, for maximum efficiency.

New Celica Breaks 100hp/Litre Barrier

Celica has the first normally aspirated Toyota production engine to break the 100 horsepower per litre barrier.

The new Celica has significantly improved power-to-weight ratio and acceleration compared with the superseded model.

Celica's power-to-weight ratio has been improved by 45 percent, from 0.086kW/kg to 0.125kW/kg.

Acceleration time 0-100km/h for manual transmission models has been slashed by nearly two seconds.

Celica's all-new 1.8 litre 2ZZ-GE engine has 40kW (40 percent) more power than the engine it supersedes.

It delivers 140kW of power at 7600rpm and 180Nm of torque at 6800rpm.

New Celica Quieter than Ever

Toyota's new Celica is significantly quieter than its predecessor under all driving conditions.

Booming noise has been significantly reduced through the engine revolution range.

Engine noise has been reduced by up to 3dB compared with the superseded model.

Celica's new aerodynamic body design reduces wind noise.

Key NVH improvements include the substantial ladder-frame bearing cap of Celica's new engine, and a newly designed floating exhaust manifold insulator, variable intake duct technology and an engine undercover with sound insulators on each face.

Toyota has significantly reduced road noise by focusing on body stiffness Ð to ensure vibration resonances are not passed through to the driver and passengers.

The reductions in road noise and engine booming noise contribute to increased comfort and reduced driver fatigue.

Steering wheel vibration has been reduced by the adoption of a high-stiffness instrument panel reinforcement and steering column assembly, and a high-stiffness, lightweight steering wheel.

Celica's NVH package also includes a full-width dash panel silencer and floor silencer panels which run from the firewall to the centre cross member and from the rear footwells through to the rear of the vehicle.

Foamed urethane sponge and foamed seal material are used in the pillars and roof rail channels to reduce wind noise and channel resonance.

New Advanced Dynamics Group Tested Celica

A newly formed Toyota advanced dynamics group has ensured that Celica has world's best dynamics.

Toyota has given its new Advanced Vehicle Dynamics Department VDX the task of auditing all vehicle dynamic development across the company's three design centres Ð to achieve world's best dynamics.

The first two products the department tested were Lexus IS200 and new Celica.

The Advanced Vehicle Dynamics Department includes trouble-shooting chassis designers and test drivers from around the world.

Australian Top Gun: A Toyota Australia engineer is one of the Advanced Vehicle Dynamics Department's star test drivers.

Graeme Gambold, from Toyota Australia's Vehicle Evaluation & Engineering Department, topped Toyota's first Top Gun course at the Nurburgring.

The Top Gun course was officially known as the Accredited Test Driver System and was organised by the VDX group.

Mr Gambold gained the highest rating (100 percent) at the Toyota test drivers' course on the 22km Nordschleife.

Toyota is a member of the Nurburgring Industry Pool and regularly uses the Nordschleife for prototype and product testing.

In addition to testing at the ÔRing', the new Celica was tested on a wide variety of roads across Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.

Celica is First Toyota with Side Airbags

The new Celica is the first Toyota in Australia with front side SRS airbag availability.

Front Side SRS airbags are standard equipment on Celica ZR and optionally available on SX.

The front side SRS airbags are part of an impressive package of passive safety features, which includes dual front SRS airbags, force-limiting front seatbelt pretensioners and a soft interior (head impact protection).

Toyota designed new Celica to meet the world's toughest crash safety standards.

Celica has passed a 40 percent offset deformable barrier test at an impact speed of 64km/h Ð well in excess of the world test standard of 56km/h.

Celica has also been subjected to a full frontal impact test at 56km/h and a dynamic side impact test at 55km/h, as well as rear moving barrier and roll-over tests.

GOA Safety Body:

Celica's body was designed to a newly implemented level of Toyota's Global Outstanding Assessment (GOA) process.

In the GOA process, Toyota reviews current and anticipated safety standards and designs the vehicle to exceed those standards.

Celica has been tested to new European standards and Japanese and US requirements, as well as Toyota's strict in-house goal of having the highest passive safety in class.

Reinforced Body:

Celica has a strong body Ð with a high-integrity cabin, and crumple zones front and rear.

The cabin is designed to provide survival space for the occupants, including head and foot space.

The crumple zones progressively absorb impact energy.

Toyota used Finite Element Method analysis and numerous on-vehicle tests to achieve maximum front, rear and side-impact integrity.

New passive safety features in Celica's body include:

* super high-tensile steel for the front bumper reinforcement and side impact door beams

* front side members with varying sheet steel thickness

* highly rigid floor cross members and B pillars, to provide maximum side impact protection

Safety Equipment:Toyota Celica has an extensive passive safety package.

Standard equipment includes electronically controlled dual front SRS airbags and force-limiting front seatbelt pretensioners.

Celica has the latest generation head impact protection (HIP) measures, including soft upper interior sections on the header rails and pillars.

The header rails use plastic ribbing while the A and B pillars use thin walled aluminium piping.

These HIP features deform when accident contact is made, to reduce the likelihood of serious injury.

In addition, Celica has a five-way collapsible steering column, with a collapsible lower bracket, break-away bracket, energy absorbing plate, contractile main shaft and contractile intermediate shaft.

It is designed to absorb primary and secondary impacts.

Celica also has a brake pedal retraction system, to reduce the possibility of leg and foot injuries.

The brake pedal is designed to retract towards the firewall in the event of a serious frontal accident.

Celica has Improved Active Safety

Toyota's new Celica has increased active safety.

Celica has improved braking, steering, handling and grip.

It has increased body rigidity, a longer footprint, new suspension hardware, geometry and calibration, wider wheels, a new steering rack and pump, and improved ABS (standard on ZR, optional on SX as part of Safety Pack).

Lower noise levels and new seats contribute to reduced driver fatigue.

Rack & Pinion Steering:

Celica has engine-speed sensitive power-assisted rack and pinion steering, with 2.9 turns lock-to-lock.

The Celica's steering system includes a new compact, lightweight vane-type steering pump.

Celica's shorter overhangs and lighter weight contribute to improved steering response.

The new Celica has a tighter turning circle (body) than its predecessor and the same kerb-to-kerb turning circle, even with a longer wheelbase.

Celica's steering column has stepless tilt adjustment.

The steering column is five-way energy absorbing, with a lower bracket, energy absorbing plate, breakaway bracket, contractile main shaft and contractile intermediate shaft.

The new column design absorbs energy from secondary collisions.

Celica has ABS with EBD

Toyota's new Celica ZR has four-channel, four-sensor ABS anti-skid brakes with electronic brake force distribution (EBD).

The new ABS system is standard equipment on the ZR model and optional on the SX (as part of the safety pack).

Celica's stopping distances have been reduced, thanks to the vehicle's reduced weight, improved grip and more efficient braking system.

Celica's brake package includes 275mm diameter ventilated disc brakes with piston-eccentric type calipers and 269mm solid rear discs.

Piston-eccentric calipers ensure better alignment between the pad and rotating disc.

They increase braking performance and reduce wear, by eliminating chamfering of the pad.

Electronic brake force distribution is a sophisticated electronic replacement for the brake system's load-sensing, proportioning and by-pass valve.

The EBD control uses the ABS control unit to achieve a more ideal brake force distribution between the front and rear wheels, according to road conditions (available traction) and vehicle load.

It allows front and rear braking force to more closely match the ideal curve under all vehicle load conditions.

EBD also controls brake forces to the right and left wheels when braking in corners.

Celica's brake system has a new 9-inch brake booster with an integral master cylinder, to save weight and space.

The clutch reservoir tank and master cylinder reservoir tank are also integrated (on manual transmission models) Ð to achieve the same benefits.

Celica has Lower Emissions

Toyota's new Celica has low emissions while delivering true sports-car performance.

Celica comfortably meets Australian emission requirements.

Its NOx emissions are 1/20th of the Australian Design Rule standard (Celica automatic).

Celica manual's hydrocarbon emissions are less than a third of the ADR standard.

Celica manual's CO emissions are as low as 24 percent of the ADR standard.

Celica automatic's new returnless fuel system has slashed evaporative emissions to 12 percent of the ADR standard.

New Celica is Greener

Toyota's new Celica is more environmentally friendly, while offering improved performance.

Special attention has been given to maximising fuel economy and reducing emissions with Celica's new VVTL-i engine.

Celica's low drag coefficient and lightweight/high rigidity body further optimises fuel economy.

Features to optimise fuel efficiency and minimise emissions of the three gross pollutants (HC, CO and NOx) include tapered-squish combustion chambers, straight inlet ports (to reduce wall wetting), full sequential injection and intelligent variable valve timing.

Adopting intelligent variable valve timing means Celica's sports engine can have a mild valve overlap at idle and low engine load, thereby reducing unburned fuel emissions.

Celica's engines have been installed with the exhaust ports facing rearwards, to shorten the path to the catalytic converter and increase converter efficiency.

Converter heating and hence efficiency has been further improved by adopting stainless steel headers and thinner walls in the converter canister.

Celica also has a returnless fuel system to reduce evaporative emissions.

The new Celica has a fuel pressure regulator and fuel filter in the fuel tank.

The non-return system means warm fuel from the engine bay does not return to the tank.

The internal temperature of the fuel tank therefore stays cooler, reducing evaporative emissions.

The new Celica is highly recyclable. All plastic parts over 100g weight are labelled for future recycling.

Highly recyclable Toyota Super Olefin Polymer (TSOP) has been used for the front and rear bumpers, pillar garnishes, door trims, centre column cover and instrument panel.

Toyota has placed a priority on reducing PVC and lead in its vehicles.

Environmentally friendly Polypropylene (PP) is being used increasingly in place of PVC.

Celica also makes use of EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Rubber).

Polypropylene and EPDM are used for the quarter panel trim, deck trim, luggage tray, and window and door seals.

Much of the sound-absorbing material is recycled.

Toyota has reduced the use of lead in the battery connections and the window glass.

Specifications