2003 Toyota Celica reviews and buying
guide.
2003
Toyota Celica resources:
2003 Toyota Celica
Toyota refers to the 2003 Toyota Celica as an “affordable
sports car’. This is certainly true with this front-wheel
drive 3 door hatchback offering a substantial package
of performance, power, luxury and reliability for a
reasonable and accessible price. Models include manual
or automatic versions of either the GT or the souped-up
GT-S, with its significantly more powerful engine.
This year a new generation of Celica was unveiled.
The futuristic styling features a unique one-form cab-forward
design with short overhangs, a new bumper/fascia with
a wider upper air intake gives the Celica a ready-to-race
look. Newly available projector-style HID (high-intensity
discharge) headlights complement the car's futuristic
design, while redesigned rear lights echo the projector-style
look. Inside, a reshaped LCD combination meter with
improved legibility combines with a redesigned center
dash cluster for improved styling and function.
Under the Hood
Toyota has not forgotten that the most important aspect
of a sports car is its performance ability. The Celica
is loaded with state-of-the-art Toyota ingenuity in
pursuit of this goal. The GT is powered by a 1.8-liter,
DOHC 4-cyl engine that produces 140 horsepower at 6,400
rpm and 125 lb.-ft. of peak torque at 4,200 rpm. torque
delivery at all engine speeds is optimized by Variable
Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i). This recipe
powers the GT from 0-60 mph in 8.5 seconds. Buyers can
choose to use the 5-speed manual (6-speed on the GT-S)
transmission but both models have a four-speed electronic
(4ECT) automatic transmission option.
The GT-S is powered by a completely different 1.8-liter,
4-cyl DOHC engine that generates 180 hp (100 horsepower
per liter) at 7,600 rpm and 130 lb.-ft. of peak torque
at 6,800 rpm. On this engine a sophisticated Variable
Valve Timing and Lift with intelligence system (VVTL-i)
increases the intake/exhaust valve lift at high rpms,
providing a turbo-like rush of top-end power. At only
2,500 pounds, the GT-S has one of the best power-to-weight
ratios in its segment (13.9 lb./hp).
As a further sport enhancement on the GT-S, the manual
transmission comes with the Sportshift control system
that allows manual shifting via buttons on the steering
wheel. One of the greatest characteristics of the Celica
is the low cost of operation. The Celica GT achieves
EPA city/highway mileage estimated ratings of 27/36
mpg while the GT-S is rated at 23/32 (city/hwy) with
slight fluctuations dependant upon transmission choice.
Standard Features, Options Packages and Style
A basic level of luxury is standard one either model
with little interior comfort variation except the leather-wrapped
steering wheel, cruise control, power windows and power
door locks, a JBL sound system and a power antenna.
Options can be bought in groups or as stand alone additions.
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