2000 Toyota Celica: 2000 Toyota Celica GT-S
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Seventh generation (2000-2006)
Seventh generation
Production 2000-2006
Body style 3-door liftback
Layout FF layout
Platform T230
Engine 1.8 L 140 hp I4
1.8 L 180 hp I4
Transmission 4-speed automatic
5-speed manual
6-speed manual
Wheelbase 102.4 in
Length 170.5 in
Width 68.3 in
Height 51.4 in
Fuel capacity 14.5 US gal.
Similar Acura RSX
Hyundai Tiburon
Mitsubishi Eclipse
In 2000, Toyota began production and sales of the seventh generation Celica. It closely resembled the XYR concept with the exception of the front bumper and rear spoiler. The 2000 Celica was an element of Toyota Project Genesis, an effort to bring younger buyers to the marque in the United States.
Basically the Celica came in two different models. The ZZT230 powered by an economical 1.8 L 4-cylinder 140 hp 1ZZ-FE engine and the ZZT231 powered by a higher-performance 1.8 L 4-cylinder 180 hp 2ZZ-GE version, co-developed with Yamaha. Both of these engines featured Toyota's signature VVT-i (Variable Valve Timing with Intelligence) system, which continuously varies the camshaft timing.
For 2003 model year, the Celica received a face lift, with a revised front bumper, revised tail lights, and the addition of several new colors to the lineup. The GT-S was also now equipped with a drive-by-wire (DBW) throttle body in the manual transmission model. Throttle drive-by-wire, while shortening throttle response, compromises the ability to use an aftermarket ECU, thus limiting tuning potential.
North America
In the USA and Canada the base model with 1ZZ-FE engine is called GT, and the high performance model with 2ZZ-GE engine is GT-S. The GT-S had a more aggressive system called the VVTL-i (Variable Valve Timing with Lift and Intelligence), which is similar to the VVT-i except until 6200 rpm, when valve lift is increased a fraction further to provide an abrupt increase in power, accounting for the 40 hp difference. The GT was available in both a 5-speed manual and 4-speed automatic and the GT-S was available with a close-ratio 6-speed manual and a 4-speed manumatic.
Unfortunately, Toyota was too late to the sport compact party. However, the Celica enjoyed the spotlight for about a year or so, being that it was one of the few vehicles offering 100 hp/L for under $27,000 USD. In 2001, Honda released its Integra replacement, the Acura RSX, for the 2002 Type S model year with a 2.0 L 4-cylinder 200 hp engine, which competed directly with the Celica.
In 2002 Toyota also made some changes on the Celica GT-S, with the revs being limited to 7800 rpm, down from 8350 rpm on the original 7th generation. (The RHD Celicas did not incur the reduction in the redline rpm) This difference results in a big hit to performance, as the 2ZZ is primarily a high-revving engine.
In July 2004, Toyota announced the Celica (as well as the MR2) would be discontinued in the United States at the end of the 2005 model year because of increasing competition and lack of sales. [1] Celica sales hit 52,406 units in 2000, but dropped sharply to 14,856 in 2003. Just 8,710 Celicas were sold in 2004, and only 3,113 were sold in 2005. Many attribute the 2004 loss in sales to the introduction of the cheaper Scion tC.
Review ID: 10000000003271964

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