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It wasn’t always that way. The original Celica was equipped with a carbureted four-cylinder engine, and was available only in ST form and as a two-door sport-coupe. Built to compete with Ford’s Mustang, it was an image car rather than a high-volume car – though it sold well throughout its life.
In 1976, the Celica line was enlarged with the addition of the liftback model, available only in GT trim. The GT package included the larger engine, offered sportier handling, higher-grade trim, etc. The liftback model was marketed as a sport-touring type vehicle, offering greater comfort and luggage capacity than the notch-back models.
The most recent Celica, which was introduced in 2000, was styled at Calty Design Research, Inc., in Newport Beach, Calif. The cab-forward design features a high-fashion look with Indy-car design elements. Sharp-edged panels, dramatic plunging curves, a tall tail and a radically lowered front fascia were stark contrasts compared to past models. The new Celica was shorter in length, but longer in wheelbase with greatly reduced front- and rear-overhangs. The Celica GT-S is powered by an all-new 1.8 liter, four-cylinder DOHC all-aluminum engine that generates 180 horsepower at 7,600 rpm and 133 lbs./ft. of torque at 6,800 rpm. The GT model’s 1.8-liter, four cylinder comes equipped with VVT-i and produces 140 horsepower at 6,400 rpm and 125 lbs./ft. of torque at 4,200 rpm. The GT-S model comes with either a six-speed manual transmission or four-speed automatic with sport-shift. The GT version is available in five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmissions.
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