- Flexible 2.2-litre 5S-FE engine
- Supportive front seats
- Accomplished dynamics
- High standard of interior fit
- Accurate steering
- Suspension lacks compliance
- Dull interior
- Cramped rear seats
- 2.2-litre 5S-FE engine not particularly quick or refined
Review: Toyota T200.I Celica (1994-95)
Overview
Released in March 1994, the Toyota T200 Series I (T200.I) Celica was a three-door liftback with two-plus-two seating. Manufactured in Aichi, Japan, the front-wheel drive Celica was powered by Toyota’s 2.2-litre 5S-FE four-cylinder petrol engine; transmission choices consisted of either a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic. Furthermore, the Celica range initially consisted of SX and ZR variants.
In May 1994, the turbocharged GT-Four Group A Rallye variant was released to satisfy the homologation requirements for Toyota’s World Rally Championship entrants. Powered by Toyota’s 2.0-litre turbocharged 3S-GTE engine, the GT-Four was solely available with a five-speed manual transmission.
Compared to its T180 predecessor, the T200 Celica was 55 mm shorter (at 4425 mm), 45 mm wider (1750 mm), the same height (1305 mm) and had a 10 mm longer wheelbase (2535 mm). The full T200 Celica range is given in the table below – please note that this review only considers models imported and distributed by Toyota Australia.
| Variant | Years | Engine | Trans. | Peak power | Peak torque |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SX, ZR |
1994-95 | 2.2-litre petrol I4 (5S-FE) | 5sp man., 4sp auto |
100 kW at 5400 rpm | 196 Nm at 4400 rpm |
| Team Europe Edition | 1994 | 2.2-litre petrol I4 (5S-FE) | 5sp man., 4sp auto |
100 kW at 5400 rpm | 196 Nm at 4400 rpm |
| GT-Four Group A Rallye | 1994-95 | 2.0-litre turbo petrol I4 | 5sp man. | 178 kW at 6000 rpm | 302 Nm at 4000 rpm |
Safety equipment
Standard safety equipment for the Toyota T200.I Celica initially consisted of a driver’s airbag, while the GT-Four Group A Rallye was further equipped with ABS. From January 1995, however, the driver’s airbag was omitted from the SX variant.
Features: Celica SX and ZR
Standard features for the Toyota Celica SX included a four speaker sound system with radio and cassette player, fog lights, remote central locking, power mirrors, power windows and an alarm.
The Celica ZR was further equipped with 15-inch alloy wheels, a CD player and rear spoiler.
Celica GT-Four Group A Rallye
Released in May 1994, the Toyota Celica GT-Four Group A Rallye was powered by Toyota’s 3S-GTE turbocharged engine and fitted with a full-time all-wheel drive system which utilised a viscous coupling centre differential and a limited slip Torsen rear differential. In normal conditions, the system provided a 50:50 front/rear torque split but, if traction was lost, torque would be transferred to the wheels with grip. The GT-Four Group A Rallye had similar features to the SX but was fitted with 16-inch alloy wheels; only 77 vehicles were officially exported to Australia by Toyota.
1994 Celica Team Europe Edition
In November 1994, the limited-run Team Europe Edition variant was released. Based on the SX variant, the Team Europe Edition shared its livery with the GT-Four Group A Rallye model.
Review: Toyota T200.II Celica (1995-99)
Overview
Released in November 1995, the Toyota T200 Series II (T200.II) Celica introduced minor suspension revisions and a subtle cosmetic update as the front bumper featured smaller sections on each side of a smaller air dam.
| Variant | Years | Engine | Trans. | Peak power | Peak torque |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SX, ZR |
1995-99 | 2.2-litre petrol I4 (5S-FE) | 5sp man., 4sp auto |
100 kW at 5400 rpm | 196 Nm at 4400 rpm |
| SX-R | 1998-99 |
Safety equipment
Compared to its T200.I predecessor, standard safety equipment for the SX was unchanged; the ZR, however, was fitted with a front passenger airbag and ABS.
From June 1998, the SX was fitted with a driver’s airbag as standard.
Features
Standard features for the Celica SX were also unchanged, though the ZR was fitted with climate control air conditioning.
In June 1998, the T200.II Celica was fitted with new audio systems, cabin trim and a three-spoke steering wheel. As part of this update, the SX received black seat fabric with woven red/grey highlights; the ZR was fitted with a six speaker sound system with digital sound processing.
1998 Celica SX-R
In November 1998, the limited-run Celica SX-R was released to replace the standard SX variant until the end of January 1999. Compared to the SX, the Celica SX-R featured alloy wheels, a CD player, cruise control, front fog lights, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, unique seat trim with red highlights and white-faced instrumentation.
Related links
