Built upon the existing Carina platform, Celica’s strong styling and brand name meant it stood apart by cleverly hiding its modest base-model roots.
An extensive list of customisable options, known as a ‘full-choice system’, also lay at the heart of its showroom appeal: an engine line-up that consisted of 1.4-litre, 1.6-litre engines, two manuals and a single three-speed automatic transmission across four model grades of ET, LT, ST and GT, meant customers were given more freedom to personalise their cars than ever before.
Although this comfort and ease of driving was a priority, the Celica still had to respond in the corners for the real enthusiasts. Thankfully, its independent front and four-link rear suspension setups, with separate dampers, didn’t disappoint in the tight-and-twisting turns.