What is it?
2002 Celica T Sport
What's special about it?
The new Celica T Sport (along with the European-model Yaris T Sport) marks the introduction of Toyota's high-performance brand. The T Sport designation marks "higher performance levels and positive handling and suspension characteristics," according to Toyota brass.
Celica T Sport features a 1.8-liter engine with Variable Valve Timing and Lift -intelligent (VVTL-i), which adds a two-stage Lift change mechanism to the existing VVTi engine, thereby boosting horsepower to 192 (up 52 from the Celica GT, 12 from the GT-S) at 7,800 rpm.
A refined chassis and stiffer MacPherson-strut front and double-wishbone rear suspension make for a more sporting ride. Brakes have likewise been uprated to handle T Sport's quick ability; 15-inch front and 14-inch rear discs come standard with ABS. Celica's six-speed manual tranny gets even closer ratios to ensure the engine stays in "high-lift" mode during full acceleration.
T Sport is distinguishable from more plebian Celicas by its badging and "distinctive" exterior color (we can only assume it's silver -- that was the color of the vehicle on display). The interior remains the same save for a rev counter redlined at a lofty 8,200 rpm to reflect T Sport's racy intentions.
Why should you care?
Toyota didn't say anything in regard to T Sport's possible journey over to the States, although the company does intend to expand the T Sport brand to other models in the future. We can only hope the Celica T Sport makes its way over eventually; it certainly looks like a thrilling ride. - Erin Mahoney
2002 Celica T Sport
What's special about it?
The new Celica T Sport (along with the European-model Yaris T Sport) marks the introduction of Toyota's high-performance brand. The T Sport designation marks "higher performance levels and positive handling and suspension characteristics," according to Toyota brass.
Celica T Sport features a 1.8-liter engine with Variable Valve Timing and Lift -intelligent (VVTL-i), which adds a two-stage Lift change mechanism to the existing VVTi engine, thereby boosting horsepower to 192 (up 52 from the Celica GT, 12 from the GT-S) at 7,800 rpm.
A refined chassis and stiffer MacPherson-strut front and double-wishbone rear suspension make for a more sporting ride. Brakes have likewise been uprated to handle T Sport's quick ability; 15-inch front and 14-inch rear discs come standard with ABS. Celica's six-speed manual tranny gets even closer ratios to ensure the engine stays in "high-lift" mode during full acceleration.
T Sport is distinguishable from more plebian Celicas by its badging and "distinctive" exterior color (we can only assume it's silver -- that was the color of the vehicle on display). The interior remains the same save for a rev counter redlined at a lofty 8,200 rpm to reflect T Sport's racy intentions.
Why should you care?
Toyota didn't say anything in regard to T Sport's possible journey over to the States, although the company does intend to expand the T Sport brand to other models in the future. We can only hope the Celica T Sport makes its way over eventually; it certainly looks like a thrilling ride. - Erin Mahoney
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