Toyota Celica GT-Four
Encyclopedia
The Toyota Celica GT-Four is a high performance model of the Celica
liftback, with a turbocharged 3S-GTE
engine, and full-time AWD
. It was created to compete in the World Rally Championship
, whose regulations dictate that a manufacturer must build road-going versions of the vehicle in sufficient numbers. These vehicles are referred to as "homologation special vehicles".
The Celica GT-Four came in three generations; ST165, based on the fourth generation Celica, and manufactured between October 1986 and August 1989; the Super Round shape ST185 produced from September 1989 to September 1993; and ST205 from February 1994 to June 1999.
The Celica GT-Four production cars were built at Toyota's Tahara
plant in Aichi Prefecture
, Japan, and the rally cars were prepared by Toyota Team Europe in Cologne
, Germany.
The Celica GT-Four ST165 made its World Rally Championship
(WRC) debut in the 1988 Tour de Corse
, but the first WRC victory came in 1989 Rally Australia
. The ST185's WRC debut was in 1992 Rally Monte Carlo, and the first WRC win was in the 1992 Safari Rally
, and won four events in that year. The ST185 is Toyota's most successful rally car. It won the WRC Driver's Championship in 1992, and the WRC Manufacturer's and Driver's Championships in 1993 and 1994. The ST205 came in late 1994, and became official rally car in 1995 with one WRC victory. It also won the 1996 European Rally Championship
.
After many years of rumors of rule bending, Toyota was caught using illegal turbo restricters to boost performance in 1995.
The significance of the Toyota Celica GT-Four in WRC history, previously dominated by European manufacturers, is that it was the first time a Japanese car manufacturer entered the WRC with an AWD turbocharged car and took trophies and won races. Since then other Japanese manufacturers have been successful in the WRC. Toyota preceded the Mitsubishi (Lancer Evolution
and Galant VR-4
) and the Subaru (Legacy
and Impreza
), but not the Mazda (Mazda 323GT-R & 323GT-X). Toyota later exited the WRC to concentrate their racing efforts in Formula One
.
Toyota Team Europe (TTE) was also the first to introduce the anti-lag system (ALS) in their ST205 Celica GT-Four cars, a technological breakthrough that was later adopted by other teams.
The GT-Four concept started with a convertible
prototype
displayed at 1985 Tokyo Motor Show
. The white car with burgundy interior is the first car to be called Celica GT-Four with theme "Open Air 4WD Motoring". The convertible never went into production, but the concept went to the liftback model which began production in October 1986.
The ST165 GT-Four can be distinguished from the front wheel drive Celica by its front bumper which has larger openings, and the "GT-Four" decals on the doors. Inside, the original GT-Four has differential lock switch near the hand brake for MY 1986 and 1987.
The Celica GT-Four was updated in October 1987. As with other front-drive Celicas, the ST165 received a new grille, tail lights, and alloys. The export version also has ground effects, noticeably the side spoilers and dual front round fog lights. The center differential was changed from a manually-lockable unit (either open or locked) to a viscous-coupling limited-slip type. The GT-Four is marketed in the USA as All-Trac Turbo and in Canada as 4WD Turbo.
The ST165 was not sold in North America before 1988 except for seventy-seven special-edition cars sold to commemorate Toyota's IMSA GTO championship win. These Celicas are all white with white wheels and blue interior and have "IMSA GTO CHAMPION" printed in small letters on the side moulding, as well as a white stripe on the grill. One car was sold at each of the 77 Toyota dealerships in California. They were sold in 1987 as 1988 models, and do have the viscous-coupling center differential.
The ST165 was the only car to be sold with the first version of Toyota's 3S-GTE. It developed 182-190 hp (depending on the market & model year) and 184 lbft of torque.
The first 21 units ST185 were built in December 1988 as prototypes for various tests. The production model was launched in Japan in September 1989, and delivery began a month later.
The 3S-GTE
in the GT-Four features an air-to-air intercooler and CT26 twin entry turbo to eliminate exhaust gas interference. The JDM GT-Four has 225 PS of power and 304 newton metre of torque, a result of more aggressive ignition advance and ceramic turbine. The Full-time 4WD system in the GT-Four has viscous coupling limited slip center differential and some models are equipped with a Torsen
rear differential.
All export market GT-Four are wide-body Liftbacks with flared fenders. The JDM GT-Four was also offered as normal/narrow body.
In August 1990, the wide body GT-Four A was added into the Japanese lineup. Super Live Sound System with ten speakers became standard on the GT-Four A.
There are three different gearboxes for ST185 GT-Four. The E150F with 4.285 final gear ratio was installed in the JDM and All-trac. European and Australian specs come with E151F with 3.933 ratio. The JDM only GT-Four Rally has E152F with close ratio on the 1st through 4th gear and 4.285 final ratio. All the RC/Carlos Sainz/Group A have E151F.
Anti-lock braking system
(ABS), Leather interior, Sunroof, and System 10 Premium Sound System are optional on '90–'92 All-Trac
Turbo, and standard on '93 model year All-Trac Turbo. With its sport-style interior, power-operated driver's seat, auto tilt-away steering wheel, SRS Airbag, and cruise control as standard equipment, the ST185 All-Trac Turbo was the most expensive Celica yet. With a 2.0 L turbocharged 3S-GTE
producing 149 kW and 200 lbft of torque, it was the most powerful Celica ever sold in the USA.
The European versions have standard ABS. Sunroof came standard in the UK models, or optional for cars in the Continent. However, System 10 Premium Sound System and Leather interior were only available as options in selected European countries, and were not offered in the UK.
The Australian spec is less luxurious than other destination models. Cruise control, leather, and sunroof were not offered. Early models don't have ABS and fog lights which became standard few months after introduction. However, Australia was the country with the largest numbers of ST185 with over 2,000 units sold.
Like other Celicas, the GT-Four received minor changes in August 1991 for 1992 model year. This facelift included the new Toyota ellipse logo on the hood and trunk, restyled tail lights with smoked red frame, and shorter gear shift. The Japanese models also got round-shape front fog lights. The All-Trac Turbo retained the automatic air conditioner, but the fan switch was changed from the push button type to the more conventional rotary type, the same one as in the lesser grades Celica.
The special rally
edition of 5000 units was known as the GT-Four RC was launched in September 1991 in Japan. The export version is known as Carlos Sainz
(CS) Limited Edition in Europe (in honour of their famous WRC
driver), or Group A Rallye in Australia. Special features include:
Out of 5000 units, 1800 were for Japanese market, 3000 were allocated to Europe, 150 in Australia, 25 in Singapore, and very few made a trip to New Zealand and general markets.
The Celica GT-Four ST205 was launched for the Japanese market in February 1994, and for the Australian, European, and British markets in the mid-year. This version was to be the most powerful Celica produced to date, producing between 242 PS for the export model and 255 PS for the Japanese market model from an updated 3S-GTE
engine matched to the E154
gearbox. Influenced strongly by Toyota Team Europe, Toyota's factory team in the World Rally Championship, the final version of the GT-Four included improvements such as an all aluminum hood to save weight, four-channel ABS
(optional for the Japanese market), an improved CT20B twin entry/turbocharger, and "Super Strut Suspension".
The 2500 units homologation
cars built to allow Toyota to enter the GT-Four as a Group A
car in the World Rally Championship also sported extras such as all of the plumbing required to activate an anti-lag
system, a water spray bar and pump for the front intercooler, a basic water injection system, a small hood-mounted spoiler aft of the windscreen washers (also standard fit on all UK cars) and an extender rear spoiler mounted on risers. Out of the 2500 GT-Four WRC built, 2100 stayed in Japan, 300 were exported to Europe, 77 for Australia, 5 for New Zealand and a few to the general markets.
The Japanese market ST205 came with a standard automatic climate control air conditioner, but ABS was optional. Export WRC models only received a manual air conditioner system but all came with standard ABS.
Official WRC models in the initial 2500 were only produced in 1994 as required by the WRC homologation
rules. All ST205 sold in Australia were WRC models and called the GT-Four Group A Rallye. Instead using the Super Strut Suspension as found in the production cars, the actual ST205 rally cars for WRC came with standard strut suspension.
In August 1995, the ST205 received minor changes which consisted of new 6-spoke alloys, contoured side spoilers, and a redesigned rear spoiler. The Japanese model also got restyled tail lights. The high WRC-style rear spoiler was not available for this facelift model, but returned on the second minor change in December 1997. Another new feature for the final facelift model was projector headlights.
During the 1995 World Rally Championship season, Toyota were caught using illegal turbo restrictors at the Rally Catalunya
and were given a one-year ban by the FIA. FIA president Max Mosley
called the illegal turbo restrictor "the most sophisticated device I've ever seen in 30 years of motor sports." Toyota and their drivers, Juha Kankkunen
, Didier Auriol
and Armin Schwarz
, were also stripped of all points in the championships. Kankkunen had been in contention for the drivers' world title. Mosley stated that "there is no suggestion the drivers were aware of what was going on."
World Rally Championship (WRC)
Other Important Rally
Toyota Celica
The Toyota Celica name has been applied to a series of coupes made by the Japanese company Toyota. The name is ultimately derived from the Latin word coelica meaning "heavenly" or "celestial"....
liftback, with a turbocharged 3S-GTE
Toyota 3S-GTE engine
The 3S-GTE is an in-line 4-cylinder 1998cc engine from Toyota, based on the 3S-GE with reduced compression ratio and addition of a turbocharger.There are four generations of this engine, which were manufactured from 1986 to 2007....
engine, and full-time AWD
AWD
AWD may refer to:* AWD Holding, , a German company* Acute Watery Diarrhoea, a symptom associated with cholera* Afghan War Diary, a collection of thousands of US military documents that were leaked to the public via Wikileaks in July, 2010* Agency Worker Directive * Air Warfare Destroyer* All-wheel...
. It was created to compete in the World Rally Championship
World Rally Championship
The World Rally Championship is a rallying series organised by the FIA, culminating with a champion driver and manufacturer. The driver's world championship and manufacturer's world championship are separate championships, but based on the same point system. The series currently consists of 13...
, whose regulations dictate that a manufacturer must build road-going versions of the vehicle in sufficient numbers. These vehicles are referred to as "homologation special vehicles".
The Celica GT-Four came in three generations; ST165, based on the fourth generation Celica, and manufactured between October 1986 and August 1989; the Super Round shape ST185 produced from September 1989 to September 1993; and ST205 from February 1994 to June 1999.
The Celica GT-Four production cars were built at Toyota's Tahara
Tahara, Aichi
is a city located in Aichi Prefecture, Japan. As of August 2011, the city had an estimated population of 63,886 and a population density of 338 persons per km². The total area was 188.81 km².-Geography:...
plant in Aichi Prefecture
Aichi Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located in the Chūbu region. The region of Aichi is also known as the Tōkai region. The capital is Nagoya. It is the focus of the Chūkyō Metropolitan Area.- History :...
, Japan, and the rally cars were prepared by Toyota Team Europe in Cologne
KOLN
KOLN, digital channel 10, is the CBS affiliate in Lincoln, Nebraska. It operates a satellite station, KGIN, on digital channel 11 in Grand Island. KGIN repeats all KOLN programming, but airs separate commercials...
, Germany.
The Celica GT-Four ST165 made its World Rally Championship
World Rally Championship
The World Rally Championship is a rallying series organised by the FIA, culminating with a champion driver and manufacturer. The driver's world championship and manufacturer's world championship are separate championships, but based on the same point system. The series currently consists of 13...
(WRC) debut in the 1988 Tour de Corse
Tour de Corse
The Tour de Corse - Rallye de France is a rally first held in 1956 on the island of Corsica. It was part of the World Rally Championship from the inaugural 1973 season to 2008. The name "Tour de Corse" refers to the fact that in the early days it was run around the island; nowadays it only features...
, but the first WRC victory came in 1989 Rally Australia
Rally Australia
Rally Australia is an automobile rally event which was held in and around Perth, Western Australia from 1988 until 2006, when that state's tourism commission severed its collaboration with the event. The rally was part of the Asia-Pacific Rally Championship in 1988 and the World Rally Championship...
. The ST185's WRC debut was in 1992 Rally Monte Carlo, and the first WRC win was in the 1992 Safari Rally
Safari Rally
The Safari Rally is considered by many to be the world's toughest rally. It was first held from 27 May to 1 June 1953 as the East African Coronation Safari in Kenya, Uganda and Tanganyika, as a celebration of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II...
, and won four events in that year. The ST185 is Toyota's most successful rally car. It won the WRC Driver's Championship in 1992, and the WRC Manufacturer's and Driver's Championships in 1993 and 1994. The ST205 came in late 1994, and became official rally car in 1995 with one WRC victory. It also won the 1996 European Rally Championship
European Rally Championship
The European Rally Championship is the European continental championship series in rallying. It is organised by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile .-History:...
.
After many years of rumors of rule bending, Toyota was caught using illegal turbo restricters to boost performance in 1995.
The significance of the Toyota Celica GT-Four in WRC history, previously dominated by European manufacturers, is that it was the first time a Japanese car manufacturer entered the WRC with an AWD turbocharged car and took trophies and won races. Since then other Japanese manufacturers have been successful in the WRC. Toyota preceded the Mitsubishi (Lancer Evolution
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution
The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, colloquially known as the Lancer Evo or Evo, is a high-performance sedan manufactured by Mitsubishi Motors. There have been ten official versions to date, and the designation of each model is most commonly a roman numeral...
and Galant VR-4
Mitsubishi Galant VR-4
The Mitsubishi Galant VR-4 was the range-topping version of Mitsubishi Motors' Galant model, available in the sixth , seventh and eighth generations of the vehicle...
) and the Subaru (Legacy
Subaru Legacy
The Subaru Legacy is a mid-size car built by the Japanese company Fuji Heavy Industries, and manufactured by its division Subaru since 1989, and is available as a sedan or wagon. Part of the original design goals for the Legacy model was to provide Subaru a vehicle in which they could compete in...
and Impreza
Subaru Impreza
Introduced in November 1993, the Impreza was offered in either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive versions and as a four-door sedan/saloon or five-door station wagon/estate. According to a Motor Trend article written March 1992 on page 26, the name of Subaru's new compact was, initially, to be...
), but not the Mazda (Mazda 323GT-R & 323GT-X). Toyota later exited the WRC to concentrate their racing efforts in Formula One
Formula One
Formula One, also known as Formula 1 or F1 and referred to officially as the FIA Formula One World Championship, is the highest class of single seater auto racing sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile . The "formula" designation in the name refers to a set of rules with which...
.
Toyota Team Europe (TTE) was also the first to introduce the anti-lag system (ALS) in their ST205 Celica GT-Four cars, a technological breakthrough that was later adopted by other teams.
ST165 (1986-1989)
Convertible
A convertible is a type of automobile in which the roof can retract and fold away having windows which wind-down inside the doors, converting it from an enclosed to an open-air vehicle...
prototype
Concept car
A concept vehicle or show vehicle is a car made to showcase new styling and or new technology. They are often shown at motor shows to gauge customer reaction to new and radical designs which may or may not have a chance of being produced....
displayed at 1985 Tokyo Motor Show
Tokyo Motor Show
The is a biennial auto show held in October-November at the Makuhari Messe, Chiba City, Japan for cars, motorcycles and commercial vehicles. Hosted by the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association , it is a recognized international show by the Organisation Internationale des Constructeurs...
. The white car with burgundy interior is the first car to be called Celica GT-Four with theme "Open Air 4WD Motoring". The convertible never went into production, but the concept went to the liftback model which began production in October 1986.
The ST165 GT-Four can be distinguished from the front wheel drive Celica by its front bumper which has larger openings, and the "GT-Four" decals on the doors. Inside, the original GT-Four has differential lock switch near the hand brake for MY 1986 and 1987.
The Celica GT-Four was updated in October 1987. As with other front-drive Celicas, the ST165 received a new grille, tail lights, and alloys. The export version also has ground effects, noticeably the side spoilers and dual front round fog lights. The center differential was changed from a manually-lockable unit (either open or locked) to a viscous-coupling limited-slip type. The GT-Four is marketed in the USA as All-Trac Turbo and in Canada as 4WD Turbo.
The ST165 was not sold in North America before 1988 except for seventy-seven special-edition cars sold to commemorate Toyota's IMSA GTO championship win. These Celicas are all white with white wheels and blue interior and have "IMSA GTO CHAMPION" printed in small letters on the side moulding, as well as a white stripe on the grill. One car was sold at each of the 77 Toyota dealerships in California. They were sold in 1987 as 1988 models, and do have the viscous-coupling center differential.
The ST165 was the only car to be sold with the first version of Toyota's 3S-GTE. It developed 182-190 hp (depending on the market & model year) and 184 lbft of torque.
ST185 (1989-1993)
The 3S-GTE
Toyota 3S-GTE engine
The 3S-GTE is an in-line 4-cylinder 1998cc engine from Toyota, based on the 3S-GE with reduced compression ratio and addition of a turbocharger.There are four generations of this engine, which were manufactured from 1986 to 2007....
in the GT-Four features an air-to-air intercooler and CT26 twin entry turbo to eliminate exhaust gas interference. The JDM GT-Four has 225 PS of power and 304 newton metre of torque, a result of more aggressive ignition advance and ceramic turbine. The Full-time 4WD system in the GT-Four has viscous coupling limited slip center differential and some models are equipped with a Torsen
Torsen
Torsen is a type of differential used in automobiles. It was invented by American Vernon Gleasman and manufactured by the Gleason Corporation. Torsen is a contraction of Torque-Sensing...
rear differential.
All export market GT-Four are wide-body Liftbacks with flared fenders. The JDM GT-Four was also offered as normal/narrow body.
In August 1990, the wide body GT-Four A was added into the Japanese lineup. Super Live Sound System with ten speakers became standard on the GT-Four A.
| JDM ST185 Models | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Production Date | Body Style | Model Code | Model Name | Intercooler type | JDM price (¥'000) | Remarks | |
| October 1989 - August 1991 | Narrow | E-ST185-BLMVZ | GT-Four | Air-To-Air | 2,685 | Optional: ABS, Auto A/C, Leather, 10-Speakers Premium Sound System, Sunroof. | |
| October 1989 - August 1991 | Narrow | E-ST185-BLMVZ(V) | GT-Four V | Air-To-Air | 2,427 | Economy model with wheel covers (no alloys), no fog lights, limited options. | |
| October 1989 - August 1991 | Narrow | E-ST185-BLMVZ(R) | GT-Four Rally | Air-To-Air | 2,385 | Rally model with close ratio gearbox, steel wheels, no power window. | |
| August 1990 - September 1993 | Wide | E-ST185H-BLMVZ | GT-Four A | Air-To-Air | 2,900 (Aug '90 launch); 2,975 (Aug '91 facelift) | Similar to all export models, equivalent to All-Trac in the USA. 10-Speaker Premium Sound System is standard. | |
| August 1991 - September 1993 | Wide | E-ST185H-BLMVZ(R) | GT-Four Rally | Air-To-Air | 2,691 | Rally model with close ratio gearbox, steel wheels, no power window. The rarest ST185 model. | |
| August 1991 - February 1992 | Wide | E-ST185H-BLMQZ | GT-Four RC | Water-To-Air | 3,200 | For WRC Group A homologation. Export version is called Carlos Sainz Limited Edition in Europe or Group A Rallye in Australia. | |
There are three different gearboxes for ST185 GT-Four. The E150F with 4.285 final gear ratio was installed in the JDM and All-trac. European and Australian specs come with E151F with 3.933 ratio. The JDM only GT-Four Rally has E152F with close ratio on the 1st through 4th gear and 4.285 final ratio. All the RC/Carlos Sainz/Group A have E151F.
Anti-lock braking system
An anti-lock braking system is a safety system that allows the wheels on a motor vehicle to continue interacting tractively with the road surface as directed by driver steering inputs while braking, preventing the wheels from locking up and therefore avoiding skidding.An ABS generally offers...
(ABS), Leather interior, Sunroof, and System 10 Premium Sound System are optional on '90–'92 All-Trac
All-Trac
All-Trac was a proprietary full time symmetric all wheel drive system used on a variety of Toyota badged models from 1988 to 2000. It was considered a revolutionary advance for all-wheel drive automobiles into the mainstream consumer market and its electronic/vacuum controlled locking center...
Turbo, and standard on '93 model year All-Trac Turbo. With its sport-style interior, power-operated driver's seat, auto tilt-away steering wheel, SRS Airbag, and cruise control as standard equipment, the ST185 All-Trac Turbo was the most expensive Celica yet. With a 2.0 L turbocharged 3S-GTE
Toyota 3S-GTE engine
The 3S-GTE is an in-line 4-cylinder 1998cc engine from Toyota, based on the 3S-GE with reduced compression ratio and addition of a turbocharger.There are four generations of this engine, which were manufactured from 1986 to 2007....
producing 149 kW and 200 lbft of torque, it was the most powerful Celica ever sold in the USA.
The European versions have standard ABS. Sunroof came standard in the UK models, or optional for cars in the Continent. However, System 10 Premium Sound System and Leather interior were only available as options in selected European countries, and were not offered in the UK.
The Australian spec is less luxurious than other destination models. Cruise control, leather, and sunroof were not offered. Early models don't have ABS and fog lights which became standard few months after introduction. However, Australia was the country with the largest numbers of ST185 with over 2,000 units sold.
Like other Celicas, the GT-Four received minor changes in August 1991 for 1992 model year. This facelift included the new Toyota ellipse logo on the hood and trunk, restyled tail lights with smoked red frame, and shorter gear shift. The Japanese models also got round-shape front fog lights. The All-Trac Turbo retained the automatic air conditioner, but the fan switch was changed from the push button type to the more conventional rotary type, the same one as in the lesser grades Celica.
The special rally
Rallying
Rallying, also known as rally racing, is a form of auto racing that takes place on public or private roads with modified production or specially built road-legal cars...
edition of 5000 units was known as the GT-Four RC was launched in September 1991 in Japan. The export version is known as Carlos Sainz
Carlos Sainz
Carlos Sainz Cenamor is a Spanish rally driver. He won the World Rally Championship drivers' title with Toyota in 1990 and 1992, and finished runner-up four times...
(CS) Limited Edition in Europe (in honour of their famous WRC
World Rally Championship
The World Rally Championship is a rallying series organised by the FIA, culminating with a champion driver and manufacturer. The driver's world championship and manufacturer's world championship are separate championships, but based on the same point system. The series currently consists of 13...
driver), or Group A Rallye in Australia. Special features include:
- a water-to-air intercoolerIntercoolerAn intercooler , or charge air cooler, is an air-to-air or air-to-liquid heat exchange device used on turbocharged and supercharged internal combustion engines to improve their volumetric efficiency by increasing intake air charge density through nearly isobaric cooling, which removes...
instead of the standard air-to-air unit, which was much better suited for racing use; - different hood used to evacuate air from the engine bay rather than direct it to the intercooler (along with a small inlet duct for cambelt cooling);
- different bumper that is much lighter and has more openings than the standard one.
- shortened shift lever throw and clutch pedal travel
- Triple cone synchromesh on gears 2 and 3, up from double cone
- a special numbered plaque on the center console
Out of 5000 units, 1800 were for Japanese market, 3000 were allocated to Europe, 150 in Australia, 25 in Singapore, and very few made a trip to New Zealand and general markets.
ST205 (1994-1999)
Toyota 3S-GTE engine
The 3S-GTE is an in-line 4-cylinder 1998cc engine from Toyota, based on the 3S-GE with reduced compression ratio and addition of a turbocharger.There are four generations of this engine, which were manufactured from 1986 to 2007....
engine matched to the E154
Toyota E transmission
Toyota Motor Corporation's E family is a family of 5-speed manual transmissions for FWD/RWD/4WD vehicles.-E50F:5 Speed Transverse Front EngineFull Time All Wheel Drive with Viscous Coupling Limited Slip Center Differential...
gearbox. Influenced strongly by Toyota Team Europe, Toyota's factory team in the World Rally Championship, the final version of the GT-Four included improvements such as an all aluminum hood to save weight, four-channel ABS
Anti-lock braking system
An anti-lock braking system is a safety system that allows the wheels on a motor vehicle to continue interacting tractively with the road surface as directed by driver steering inputs while braking, preventing the wheels from locking up and therefore avoiding skidding.An ABS generally offers...
(optional for the Japanese market), an improved CT20B twin entry/turbocharger, and "Super Strut Suspension".
The 2500 units homologation
Homologation
Homologation is a technical term, derived from the Greek homologeo for "to agree", which is generally used in English to signify the granting of approval by an official authority...
cars built to allow Toyota to enter the GT-Four as a Group A
Group A
In relation to motorsport governed by the FIA, Group A referred to a set of regulations providing production-derived vehicles for outright competition. In contrast to the short-lived Group B and Group C, the Group A referred to production-derived vehicles limited in terms of power, weight, allowed...
car in the World Rally Championship also sported extras such as all of the plumbing required to activate an anti-lag
Anti-lag
An anti-lag system is a system used on turbocharged engines to minimize turbo lag.- Overview :ALS was first used in the early days of turbocharged cars in Formula One racing circa mid to late 1980s, until fuel restrictions made its use unsuitable...
system, a water spray bar and pump for the front intercooler, a basic water injection system, a small hood-mounted spoiler aft of the windscreen washers (also standard fit on all UK cars) and an extender rear spoiler mounted on risers. Out of the 2500 GT-Four WRC built, 2100 stayed in Japan, 300 were exported to Europe, 77 for Australia, 5 for New Zealand and a few to the general markets.
The Japanese market ST205 came with a standard automatic climate control air conditioner, but ABS was optional. Export WRC models only received a manual air conditioner system but all came with standard ABS.
Official WRC models in the initial 2500 were only produced in 1994 as required by the WRC homologation
Homologation
Homologation is a technical term, derived from the Greek homologeo for "to agree", which is generally used in English to signify the granting of approval by an official authority...
rules. All ST205 sold in Australia were WRC models and called the GT-Four Group A Rallye. Instead using the Super Strut Suspension as found in the production cars, the actual ST205 rally cars for WRC came with standard strut suspension.
In August 1995, the ST205 received minor changes which consisted of new 6-spoke alloys, contoured side spoilers, and a redesigned rear spoiler. The Japanese model also got restyled tail lights. The high WRC-style rear spoiler was not available for this facelift model, but returned on the second minor change in December 1997. Another new feature for the final facelift model was projector headlights.
During the 1995 World Rally Championship season, Toyota were caught using illegal turbo restrictors at the Rally Catalunya
Rally Catalunya
The Rally Catalunya is a rally competition on the World Rally Championship schedule. Now held on the wide, smooth and sweeping asphalt roads around the town of Salou, Catalonia, Spain, it was previously held around the region of Costa Brava...
and were given a one-year ban by the FIA. FIA president Max Mosley
Max Mosley
Max Rufus Mosley is the former president of the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile , a non-profit association that represents the interests of motoring organisations and car users worldwide...
called the illegal turbo restrictor "the most sophisticated device I've ever seen in 30 years of motor sports." Toyota and their drivers, Juha Kankkunen
Juha Kankkunen
Juha Matti Pellervo Kankkunen is a Finnish former rally driver. His factory team career in the World Rally Championship lasted from 1983 to 2002. He won 23 world rallies and four drivers' world championship titles, which were both once records in the series...
, Didier Auriol
Didier Auriol
Didier Auriol is a French rally driver.Born in Montpellier, and initially an ambulance driver, Auriol made his name as a French rally driver in the World Rally Championship throughout the 1990s. He became World Rally Champion in 1994, the first from his country to do so...
and Armin Schwarz
Armin Schwarz
Armin Schwarz is a German rally driver. He competed in the World Rally Championship from 1988 to 2005, winning the 1991 Rally Catalunya and taking six other podium finishes...
, were also stripped of all points in the championships. Kankkunen had been in contention for the drivers' world title. Mosley stated that "there is no suggestion the drivers were aware of what was going on."
Rally Results
- ST165 won 13 WRC series. Carlos SainzCarlos SainzCarlos Sainz Cenamor is a Spanish rally driver. He won the World Rally Championship drivers' title with Toyota in 1990 and 1992, and finished runner-up four times...
won the 1990 WRC Driver's Title. - ST185 won 16 full WRC series, and 3 overall winner in the W2L series. WRC Driver's Titles with Carlos Sainz in 1992, Juha KankkunenJuha KankkunenJuha Matti Pellervo Kankkunen is a Finnish former rally driver. His factory team career in the World Rally Championship lasted from 1983 to 2002. He won 23 world rallies and four drivers' world championship titles, which were both once records in the series...
in 1993, and Didier AuriolDidier AuriolDidier Auriol is a French rally driver.Born in Montpellier, and initially an ambulance driver, Auriol made his name as a French rally driver in the World Rally Championship throughout the 1990s. He became World Rally Champion in 1994, the first from his country to do so...
in 1994. WRC Manufacturer's Titles in 1993 and 1994. - ST205 won 1 full WRC series, and 2 overall winner in the W2L series.
Other Important Rally
- ST165 won the 1989 and 1990 British Rally ChampionshipBritish Rally ChampionshipThe Dulux Trade MSA British Rally Championship is a yearly rallying series based in the United Kingdom. It comprises seven events with eight scoring opportunities throughout the British Isles. The first championship was run in 1958 and it has been licensed by the MSA Motor Sports Association since...
, and 1990 Asia Pacific Rally Championship. - ST185 won the 1995 European Rally ChampionshipEuropean Rally ChampionshipThe European Rally Championship is the European continental championship series in rallying. It is organised by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile .-History:...
. - ST185 won the 1997 Rally of Malaysia.
- ST205 won the 1996 European Rally Championship.
Further reading
- Toyota Celica 25 Years of Development and Motorsport book written by Brian Long, published in England.
External links
- Turbocelica.nl - A resource for the ST185 Carlos Sainz GT-Four models