Toyota CELICA
Toyotas Celica Takes Its Name From the Japanese Word For Swan. Vanessa Hinkley Finds Out If The Latest One Lives Up Its Name
Like all other coupes and open-top sportscars, the Celica is not a car you buy with your head. One look at the sleek and sharp-edged styling of the latest seventh generation machine is enough to send most of us fumbling for our chequebooks. But, unlike many of its more recently released rivals, this is one coupe that has some pretty convincing practical attributes, too. Its affordable, well put together and extremely well equipped.
It shares some styling aspects with other coupes on the market, yet has a distinctive shape all of its own. At first glance it looks bigger than its rounded predecessor but is actually shorter and narrower, though the wheelbase has been extended to improve cabin room. Youll like it or, perhaps, hate it but whatever you decide, youll surely agree its stand-out distinctive.
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Toyota say that there's more cabin space than previous Celicas, but don't let that fool you into thinking that this is now a full four-seater - it isn't. Theres enough leg room for adult-sized people but the headroom provided best suits little folk. Still, who ever bought a coupe to ride in the back? The dog wont mind at all. In the front, the cabin is roomier than you might expect, though, with plenty of headroom and lots of useful oddment spaces.
Certainly, you won't have any complaints on the luxury front. I liked the trendy drilled pedals and the black and grey trim scheme (a change from the old models all-black ambience), plus the new orange dials add a further splash of colour. The interior fits you like a glove and doesn't look like its been transplanted from a boring family saloon. And its practical enough, with decent luggage space and rear seats that split-fold to provide even more.
Most current Celica buyers go for the standard 1.8-litre motor which can sprint to 60mph in 8.7 seconds. Alternatively, theres a 190 version which is 1.
3s quicker. Either way, you can make the most of it, thanks to a six-speed gearbox with the ratios packed pretty close together. The mechanically similar T-Sport model offers more equipment and an aggressive body styling kit. Power delivery is also as smooth as we've come to expect from Japan's biggest and arguably best engine manufacturer. So, what about the handling? Having carried off the World Rally Championship with previous Celicas, you'd expect that Toyota would have all the tools readily at hand to make this car handle like a first rate sports coupe. And, sure enough, this is a case where racing improves the breed, and rallying has improved the breeder. This Celica turns into corners more sharply and is far more nimble through twisting bends than its predecessor. It communicates well to the driver and grip is impressive too.
The ride is comfortable, too, thanks to suspension that can damp out poor surfaces at low speeds in town, yet is still taut enough to make your favourite country run entertaining if youre in the mood. The seats are good with excellent support and grip during tight cornering. They offer so many adjustment options, you cant fail to get really comfortable.
For £16,650, the latest Celica comes with a lot of kit. Equipment includes twin front and side airbags, anti-lock brakes, a leather-rimmed steering wheel, power windows and mirrors, a powerful stereo, alloy wheels and remote central locking. If you crave more, theres a Premium Pack which adds leather upholstery, power sunroof and automatic climate control or a Sports Pack with larger alloy wheels and a rear spoiler. The £21,150 T-Sport gets a set of cracking 17-inch alloy wheels plus a deeper front spoiler and interior upgrades that include leather seats and a CD autochanger.
If my heart was set on a car with character and head-turning style, the Celica would be high up on my wish list. Its now much more distinctive amongst coupes, but remains a sensible and practical proposition honest, Mr Bank Manager.
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