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Toyota Celica
Sports car by Toyota, 1970 to 2006 / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Toyota Celica (/ˈsɛlɪkə/ or /sɛˈliːkə/) (Japanese: トヨタ・セリカ, Hepburn: Toyota Serika) is an automobile produced by Toyota from 1970 until 2006. The Celica name derives from the Latin word coelica meaning heavenly or celestial.[3] In Japan, the Celica was exclusive to Toyota Corolla Store dealer chain. Produced across seven generations, the Celica was powered by various four-cylinder engines, and body styles included convertibles, liftbacks,[4] coupés[5] and notchback coupés.
Toyota Celica | |
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![]() 2004 Toyota Celica GT-S with Action Package body kit (ZZT231, USA) | |
Overview | |
Manufacturer | Toyota |
Production | December 1970[1] – April 2006[2] |
Model years | 1971–2006 |
Assembly | Japan: Toyota, Aichi (Tsutsumi plant); Tahara, Aichi (Tahara plant); Susono, Shizuoka (Higashi-Fuji plant) |
Body and chassis | |
Class | Sports car |
Body style |
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Layout |
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In 1973, Toyota coined the term liftback to describe the Celica fastback hatchback, and used the name Liftback GT for the North American market.[6][7][8] Like the Ford Mustang, the Celica concept was to attach a coupe body to the chassis and mechanicals from a high volume sedan, in this case the Toyota Carina.[9]
The first three generations of North American market Celicas were powered by variants of Toyota's R series engine. In August 1985, the car's drive layout was changed from rear-wheel drive to front-wheel drive, and all-wheel drive turbocharged models were offered from 1986 to 1999. Variable valve timing came in certain Japanese models starting from December 1997 and became standard in all models from the 2000 model year. In 1986, the six-cylinder Celica Supra variant was spun off as a separate model, becoming simply the Supra. Lightly altered versions of the Celica were also sold through as the Corona Coupé through the Toyopet dealer network from 1985 to 1989, and as the Toyota Curren through the Vista network from 1994 to 1998.
The Toyota Celica Liftback GT won Motor Trend Car of the Year (Imported Vehicle) in 1976.