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The Toyota Celica GT-Four is a high performance model of the Celica Liftback that was produced from 1986 to 1999, with a turbocharged '' 3S-GTE'' engine, and full-time AWD. It was created to compete in the
World Rally Championship The World Rally Championship (abbreviated as WRC) is the highest level of global competition in the motorsport discipline of rallying, owned and governed by the FIA. There are separate championships for drivers, co-drivers, manufacturers and t ...
, 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; the ''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 the ''ST205'', built 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 Toyota Gazoo Racing Europe GmbH (TGR-E), formerly Andersson Motorsport GmbH and Toyota Motorsport GmbH (TMG), is a fully-owned and controlled entity of Toyota Motor Corporation, based in Cologne, Germany, which provides motorsport and automotiv ...
in
Cologne Cologne ( ; german: Köln ; ksh, Kölle ) is the largest city of the German western state of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) and the fourth-most populous city of Germany with 1.1 million inhabitants in the city proper and 3.6 millio ...
, Germany. The Celica GT-Four ST165 made its
World Rally Championship The World Rally Championship (abbreviated as WRC) is the highest level of global competition in the motorsport discipline of rallying, owned and governed by the FIA. There are separate championships for drivers, co-drivers, manufacturers and t ...
(WRC) debut in the 1988
Tour de Corse The Tour de Corse is a rally first held in 1956 on the island of Corsica. It was the French round of the World Rally Championship from the inaugural 1973 season until 2008, was part of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge from 2011 to 2012, and ...
, with its first WRC victory coming in the 1989
Rally Australia Rally Australia is an automobile rally event which was held in Coffs Harbour as the final leg of the World Rally Championship (WRC) until 2018. First run in 1988, the rally was held in and around Perth, Western Australia until 2006. It was par ...
. The ST185's WRC debut was in the 1992 Rally Monte Carlo, and its first WRC win was in the 1992
Safari Rally The Safari Rally is a rally held in Kenya. It was first held in 1953 as a celebration of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. The event was part of the World Rally Championship from 1973 until 2002, before returning in 2021. It is historically r ...
, which was one of its four victories in that year. The ST185 is Toyota's most successful rally car. It won the WRC Drivers' Championship in 1992, and the WRC Manufacturers' and Drivers' championships in 1993 and 1994. The ST205 came in late 1994, and became the official rally car in 1995 with one WRC victory. It also won the 1996
European Rally Championship The European Rally Championship (officially FIA European Rally Championship) is an automobile rally competition held annually on the European continent and organized by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA). The championship has b ...
. 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, took trophies and won the titles. Since then other Japanese manufacturers have been successful in the WRC. Toyota preceded the Mitsubishi (
Lancer Evolution The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, popularly referred to as the 'Evo', is a sports sedan and rally car based on the Lancer that was manufactured by Japanese manufacturer Mitsubishi Motors from 1992 until 2016. There have been ten official versi ...
and
Galant VR-4 The Mitsubishi Galant VR-4 (Viscous Realtime 4WD) was the range-topping version of Mitsubishi Motors' Galant model, available in the sixth (1987–93), seventh (1993–96) and eighth (1996–2002) generations of the vehicle. Originally introduced to ...
) and the Subaru ( Legacy and
Impreza The is a compact car that has been manufactured by the Japanese automaker Subaru since 1992. It was introduced as a replacement for the Subaru Leone, Leone, with the predecessor's Subaru EA engine, EA series engines replaced by the new Subaru EJ ...
), but not the Mazda ( Mazda 323GT-R & 323GT-X). Toyota later exited the WRC to concentrate their racing efforts in
Formula One Formula One (also known as Formula 1 or F1) is the highest class of international racing for open-wheel single-seater formula racing cars sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA). The World Drivers' Championship, ...
, but in 2017, 11 years after the Celica was discontinued, Toyota returned to WRC with the
Toyota Yaris The is a supermini/ subcompact car sold by Toyota since 1999, replacing the Starlet and Tercel. Up to 2019, Toyota had used the Yaris nameplate on export versions of various Japanese-market models, with some markets receiving the same vehi ...
.
Toyota Team Europe Toyota Gazoo Racing Europe GmbH (TGR-E), formerly Andersson Motorsport GmbH and Toyota Motorsport GmbH (TMG), is a fully-owned and controlled entity of Toyota Motor Corporation, based in Cologne, Germany, which provides motorsport and automotiv ...
(TTE) was also the first to introduce the ''anti-lag system'' (ALS) in their Group A ST205 Celica GT-Four rally cars, a technological breakthrough that was later adopted by other teams.


ST165 (1986–1989)

The Celica GT-Four concept started with a
convertible A convertible or cabriolet () is a passenger car that can be driven with or without a roof in place. The methods of retracting and storing the roof vary among eras and manufacturers. A convertible car's design allows an open-air driving expe ...
prototype displayed at 1985
Tokyo Motor Show The is a biennial auto show held in October–November at the Tokyo Big Sight, Tokyo, Japan for cars, motorcycles and commercial vehicles. Hosted by the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA), it is a recognized international show ...
. The white car with burgundy interior is the first car to be called ''Celica GT-Four'' with the theme "open air 4WD motoring". The convertible never went into production, but the concept went to the
liftback A liftback is a variation of hatchback with a sloping roofline between 45 and 5 degrees. Traditional hatchback designs usually have a 90 to 46 degree slope on the tailgate or rear door. As such the liftback is essentially a hatchback with a more ...
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 round fog lights on each side, and the "GT-Four" decals on the doors. Inside, the original GT-Four has a differential lock switch near the hand brake for the pre-facelift model built from October 1986 to September 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 standard 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 was marketed in the US as the ''All-Trac Turbo'' and in Canada as the ''Turbo 4WD''. 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 interiors and have "IMSA GTO Champion" printed in small letters on the side moulding, as well as white stripes on the grills. One car was sold at each of the 77 Toyota dealerships in California. They were sold in 1987 as 1988 models, and have viscous-coupling center differentials. When the Celica GT-Four was launched in the United Kingdom in 1988 it was the first car sold in the United Kingdom designed to run only on unleaded gasoline. 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 and model year) and of torque.


ST185 (1989–1993)

The first 21 units of the Celica 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 ST185 GT-Four features an air-to-air intercooler and CT26 twin entry turbo to eliminate exhaust gas interference. The Japanese market GT-Four has of power and of torque, a result of more aggressive ignition advance and ceramic turbine. The Full-time 4WD system in the GT-Four has
viscous coupling A viscous coupling is a mechanical device which transfers torque and rotation by the medium of a viscous fluid. Design Rotary viscous couplings with interleaved, perforated plates and filled with viscous fluids are used in automotive system ...
center
limited slip differential A limited-slip differential (LSD) is a type of differential that allows its two output shafts to rotate at different speeds but limits the maximum difference between the two shafts. Limited-slip differentials are often known by the generic tr ...
and some models are equipped with a
Torsen Torsen Torque-Sensing (full name Torsen traction) is a type of limited-slip differential used in automobiles. It was invented by American Vernon Gleasman and manufactured by the Gleason Corporation. Torsen is a portmanteau of Torque-Sensing. ''TO ...
rear differential. All export market GT-Four are wide-body Liftback models with flared fenders. The Japanese market GT-Four was also offered as normal/narrow body from 1989 to 1991. In August 1990, the wide body GT-Four A was added into the Japanese lineup. Super Live Sound System with 10 speakers became standard on the GT-Four A. There are three gearboxes for ST185 GT-Four. The E150F with 4.285 final gear ratio was installed in the Japanese market and All-Trac. European and Australian specs come with E151F with 3.933 ratio. The Japanese market 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 Rallye 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 and of torque, it was the most powerful Celica ever sold in the US. The European versions have standard ABS. Headlight washers and heated door mirrors are also offered. 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 was less luxurious than other destination models. Cruise control, leather, and sunroof were not offered. Early models didn't have ABS and fog lights which became standard few months after introduction. However, Australia was the country with the large numbers of ST185. Like other Celicas, the GT-Four received minor changes in August 1991 for the 1992 model year. This facelift included the new Toyota ellipse emblems 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.


GT-Four RC

To meet the FIA requirement for WRC, the homologation
rally Rally or rallye may refer to: Gatherings * Demonstration (political), a political rally, a political demonstration of support or protest, march, or parade * Pep rally, an event held at a United States school or college sporting event Sport ...
edition of 5000 units was known as the GT-Four RC was launched in September 1991 for the Japanese market. The export version is known as
Carlos Sainz Carlos Sainz may refer to: People * Carlos Sainz Sr. (born 1962), Spanish rally driver world champion, father of Jr. * Carlos Sainz Jr. (born 1994), Spanish Formula One driver, son of Sr. Other uses * '' Carlos Sainz: World Rally Championship'', 1 ...
(CS) Limited Edition in Singapore and Europe (in honour of their famous
WRC WRC may refer to: Broadcasting stations * WRC-TV, a television station (virtual channel 4, digital channel 34) licensed to Washington, D.C., United States * Several radio stations in the Washington, D.C. area: ** WTEM, a radio station (980 AM) l ...
driver), or Group A Rallye in Australia. Special features include: * a water-to-air intercooler instead of the standard air-to-air unit, which was much better suited for competition 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 timing belt 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 were delivered to Australia, 25 for Singapore, and very few made a trip to the general markets.


ST205 (1994–1999)

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 for the export model and for the Japanese market model from an updated 3S-GTE engine matched to the E154F 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 (enthusiast dubbed) 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 Group A is a set of motorsport regulations administered by the FIA covering production derived vehicles intended for competition, usually in touring car racing and rallying. In contrast to the short-lived Group B and Group C, Group A vehicles ...
car in the World Rally Championship also featured 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 initially optional and became standard from August 1996. 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. All the Australian-spec ST205 came with leather interior, and the only options were air conditioner and glass sunroof. Each of 77 cars also came with limited edition numbered plaque mounted ahead of the gear shift. Instead of using the Super Strut Suspension as found in the production cars, the actual ST205 rally cars for WRC came with standard strut suspension as they found the wear rates too high from the rigors of rallying. In August 1995, the ST205 received minor changes which consisted of new 6-spoke alloys, contoured side spoilers or rocker panels, and a redesigned rear spoiler. The Japanese model also got restyled tail lights. Sport ABS and dual SRS Airbag became standard on all cars started from August 1996. The high WRC-style rear spoiler was not available for this facelift model, but returned on the second minor change in December 1997. Other new feature for the final facelift model were 3-spoke leather steering wheel with SRS Airbag and projector headlights. During the 1995 World Rally Championship season,
Toyota is a Japanese multinational automotive manufacturer headquartered in Toyota City, Aichi, Japan. It was founded by Kiichiro Toyoda and incorporated on . Toyota is one of the largest automobile manufacturers in the world, producing about 10 ...
was caught using illegal turbo restrictors at the
Rally Catalunya The Rally Catalunya (formerly: Rallye Catalunya) is a rally competition held in Catalonia region of Spain, on the World Rally Championship schedule. Now held on the wide, smooth and sweeping asphalt roads around the town of Salou, Costa Daura ...
and were given a one-year ban by the
FIA FIA is the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (English: International Automobile Federation), the world's governing body for all forms of motor sport where four or more wheels are used. Fia or FIA may also refer to: People * Fia Backs ...
. FIA president
Max Mosley Max Rufus Mosley (13 April 1940 – 23 May 2021) was a British racing driver, lawyer, and president of the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), a non-profit association which represents the interests of motoring organisations and ...
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 Matti Pellervo Kankkunen (; born 2 April 1959) 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 we ...
,
Didier Auriol Didier Auriol (born 18 August 1958) is a French former rally driver. Born in Montpellier, and initially an ambulance driver, he competed in the World Rally Championship throughout the 1990s. He became World Rally Champion in 1994, the first driv ...
and
Armin Schwarz Armin (Armyn) is a given name or surname, and is: * An ancient Indo-European name: ** a German/Dutch given name, *** a modern form of the name Arminius (18/17 BC–AD 21), a German prince who defeated a Roman army in the Battle of the Teutoburg F ...
, were also stripped of all points in the championships. Kankkunen was leading the Drivers Championship heading into Catalunya, while Auriol was also in the title race. Mosley stated that "there is no suggestion the drivers were aware of what was going on." Although TTE was banned for the
1996 World Rally Championship season The 1996 World Rally Championship was the 24th season of the FIA World Rally Championship. The season consisted of 9 rallies. As a result of their disqualification, Toyota Team Europe were not allowed to compete in this year's championship, so ...
, the Celica ST205 still competed in 1996 and
1997 World Rally Championship season The 1997 World Rally Championship was the 25th season of the FIA World Rally Championship. The season saw many changes in the championship. Most notably, Group A was partially replaced by the World Rally Car with manufacturers given the option wh ...
ran by private teams, most notably HF Grifone from Italy and Toyota importers in certain countries.


Rally results


World Rally Championship (WRC)

* ST165 won 13 WRC series.
Carlos Sainz Carlos Sainz may refer to: People * Carlos Sainz Sr. (born 1962), Spanish rally driver world champion, father of Jr. * Carlos Sainz Jr. (born 1994), Spanish Formula One driver, son of Sr. Other uses * '' Carlos Sainz: World Rally Championship'', 1 ...
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 Kankkunen Juha Matti Pellervo Kankkunen (; born 2 April 1959) 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 we ...
in 1993, and
Didier Auriol Didier Auriol (born 18 August 1958) is a French former rally driver. Born in Montpellier, and initially an ambulance driver, he competed in the World Rally Championship throughout the 1990s. He became World Rally Champion in 1994, the first driv ...
in 1994. WRC Manufacturer's Titles in 1993 and 1994. * ST205 won 1 full WRC series, and 2 overall winner in the W2L series. WRC victories : Overall Winner in the W2L Series :


Other important rallies

* ST165 won the 1989 and 1990
British Rally Championship The British Rally Championship is a rallying series based in the United Kingdom. The first championship was run in 1958 and it has been licensed by the Motor Sports Association (MSA) since 1999. MSA has opted not to run the series in 2015, ins ...
, and 1990 Asia Pacific Rally Championship. * ST185 won the 1995
European Rally Championship The European Rally Championship (officially FIA European Rally Championship) is an automobile rally competition held annually on the European continent and organized by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA). The championship has b ...
. * ST185 won the 1997 Rally of
Malaysia Malaysia ( ; ) is a country in Southeast Asia. The federation, federal constitutional monarchy consists of States and federal territories of Malaysia, thirteen states and three federal territories, separated by the South China Sea into two r ...
. * ST205 won the 1996 European Rally Championship.


References


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 GT-Four Carlos Sainz models. {{Toyota Motor Corporation Celica GT-Four All-wheel-drive vehicles Sports cars Rally cars Coupés Hatchbacks 1980s cars 1990s cars Auto racing controversies