2000 CELICA GT

The seventh-generation Celica comes with a new platform, new engines, a new, six-speed manual gearbox for the GT-S version, and more. The Celica is shorter and narrower than before, but has a longer . Overall height is unchanged.

Interior and trunk

No one be surprised by the fact that getting in and out of the Celica requires a degree of flexibility. The bucket seats are very comfortable and have good side support. Some drivers may find that foot room is tight but the driving position is otherwise excellent. The seat belts are not height adjustable.

The rear seat is barely useable, even by very small people. The 50/50 split seatback folds to provide more room for cargo. The front seatbacks do not return to their original position and have to be readjusted each time they are folded forward.

Liftover to the roomy trunk is high, and the rear hatch does not open high enough to safely clear the head of tall individual.

Safety and convenience

Though interior finish is excellent, road- and engine-noise suppression leaves much to be desired. The new Celica is quieter than before, but even if it is sports , it should filter out more of this type of noise. On the other hand, the click of the turn signals is barely audible, and should be louder.

Instruments and controls are well laid-out but the cup holder behind the gearshift lever can be a nuisance, depending on the size of the beverage container. There are lots of roomy storage spaces, and both the climate control and sound systems work very well. The automatic lighting system is both efficient and practical.

Safety features include dual front air bags and integrated head restraints. An anti-lock braking system is available on the GT-S only. The headlights should be brighter, and poor three-quarter rear and full rear visibility is compounded by the fact that the rear wiper leaves a section of the window dirty.

Engine and

The smooth new engine is progressive and flexible thanks to the VVT-i () system. Standing and passing accelerations are lively and palpable. The Celica accelerates smoothly but you can feel things getting serious nonetheless at about the 4,000 rpm-mark. Engine flexibility and judicious torque distribution lets you drive as lazily as you like because you don’t have to constantly stir the gearshift lever. The VVT-i system ensures good engine response and smoother driving overall.

The easy-shifting manual gearbox is smooth and precise, with progressive clutch action. Simply put, it provides benchmark performance and is very pleasant to use. On the road

Suspension tuning is superb and as a much a source of pleasure as the engine and transmission. It is a felicitous mix of stiffness and suppleness that guarantees a comfortable ride even if some bad bumps can make the car bounce at times. Lively, agile, well-balanced and predictable are a few of the terms that immediately come to mind to describe handling performance. The Celica has a very firm grip, turning winding roads into straight lines.

The power is well-tuned, very quick, precise and stable. If the steering provided more road feel it would be just about perfect. Braking is powerful but begins to fade quite noticeably after a third panic stop from 100 km-h. An anti-lock braking system should be standard.

The Celica got high marks for assembly, though the inspectors at the CAA-Quebec test centre noted that the coolant recovery reservoir is hidden under a shield that is hard to remove without the right tools.

Like the new Toyota Echo, the Celica needs less frequent maintenance than before.

Conclusion

Expect a high degree of driving pleasure behind the wheel of this lively, well-balanced, well- rounded, well-built car. Less road and engine noise would make it even easier to appreciate the many fine qualities of the new Celica, even for drivers who think sports have to be heard to be enjoyed.

FOR AGAINST Lively, supple engine Deficient soundproofing Exemplary manual transmission Rear access Quick steering High liftover Comfortable front seats Tight rear seating Smooth ride Three-quarter and rear visibility Handling No ABS

2000

Engine: 16-valve, 1.8 litre, 4 cyl. Horsepower: 140 h.p. @ 6,400 rpm; 180 h.p. @ 7,600 rpm Torque: 125 lb.-ft. @ 4,200 rpm; 130 lb.-ft. Transmission: 5-speed man. (GT-S: 6- @ 6,800 rpm speed); 4-speed automatic Suspension: fully independent Brakes: disc/drum (GT-S: disc) Length: 433 cm Width: 173.5 cm Height: 130.5 cm Wheelbase: 260 cm Weight: 1,100 to 1,170 kg Tires: 195/60R15; 205/50R16 Towing capacity: 907 kg Air bags: standard dual Fuel consumption (Celica GT with manual gearbox): - Transport Canada rating: city: 8.7 L/100 km (32 mpg); highway: 6.6 L/100 km (43 mpg) - Test result: 8.5 L/100 (33 mpg)

Fuel tank capacity: 55 litres

Acceleration: 0-100 km/h : 8.3 seconds 60-100 km/h : 4.4 seconds

Competition: Integra, Prelude, , Mercury Cougar, Volkswagne Golf

Maintenance (amount may vary from dealer to dealer): Frequency: 6 months/8,000 km Total cost to 100,000 km: $828

Warranty: - Full basic coverage: 3 years/60,000 km - Powertrain: 5 years/100,000 km - Surface corrosion: 3 years/60,000 km - Perforation damage: 5 years/unlimited mileage - Emissions control system: 3 years/60,000 km (full coverage); 8 years/130,000 km (, electronic control module and on-board diagnostic device)

Factory replacement parts: Rear bumper: $425 Front brake disk: $103 Brake pads: $63 Muffler: $295 Front fender: $250

Average insurance premium (Quebec City, replacement cost endorsement, claim-free insurance record, female driver or male driver 30 to 40 years old): $920 to $1,149

Price according to trim line: GT: $23,980 GT-S: $31,675

Main options: Auto. gearbox: $1,000 (GT-S: $870) Rear spoiler (GT): $500 B package (GT-S): $1,175 Non-transparent roof option (GT-S): $1,160

Price as tested: $23,980

Freight and preparation: $850

Dealers: Quebec: 71 Canada: 251

Ó CAA-Quebec, December 1999