Sneak a look at the new Celica

By Alastair Sloane

This is the new Toyota Celica.

Or, rather, it's the concept Celica unveiled earlier this year. Toyota isn't saying what changes it has made to the concept model. Nor is it saying if there is such a thing as a production-model Celica.

Toyota, like almost all carmakers, refuses to discuss future products. But spy pictures of a Celica being tested in California indicate that the production car is indeed similar to the concept model, except for softer lines and a toned-down rear spoiler.

The new model is smaller and lighter than today's 2.2-litre Celica but considerably more powerful, thanks to Toyota's new variable valve timing system called VVTL-i.

This technology enables the new Celica's 1.8-litre engine to develop 135kW at 7600 rpm and produce a zero to 100 km/h time of about 8 sec.

The three-door liftback is expected to be fitted with the choice of a six-speed manual gearbox or four-speed sequential automatic with steering wheel-mounted controls.

There is also talk overseas of a four-wheel-drive variant using technology from the World Rally Championship Corolla.

The new model is the seventh-generation Celica. The first appeared in 1971.