3 ite heigl THE 1994 Toyota Celica liftback offers all-new st Celicas start at $21,438. DCE ESTs Friday, November 26, 1993 - North Shore News - 29 BP Ma uae Nei te si Ne IO a ny lM a jy bites. PE AN et NEWS photo Neil Lucente yling, a larger 1.8-litre tour cylinder base engine, improved handling, and availabie driver and passenger airbags. New styling more traditional than soap-bar theme of previous generation THE TOYOTA Celica enters the 1994 made! year clad in some interesting new sheet metal, but the sporty, front-wheel-drive 2 +2 hatchback hasn’t grown in size significantly. The new Celica is lighter, quicker, and bettcr-equipped than the '93 model. A 110 horsepower 1.8-litre four-cylinder engine replaces last year's 103 horsepower 1.6-litre engine, and driver and passenger airbags are now an available option. GT and GT-S models continue to offer a 135 horsepower 2.2-litre four-cylinder power plant. All Celicas are now liftbacks (hatchbacks). The coupe body style is no longer offered. In ad- dition, the high performance Celica Turbo with full-time four-wheel-drive has disappeared from Toyota's lineup. The base price of the new Celica has risen 12% from $19,078 to $21,438. The continuing strengthening of the Japanese Yen against the dollar has contributed significantly to this price increase. The Celica’s new styling is less rounded and somewhat more traditional than the controversial soap-bar styling theme of the previous generation. Toyota's decision to adopt a more conservative styling ap- proach is a growing trend amongst Japanese automakers. Many are wary of going too far with futuristic styling treatments, and are worried about scaring away customers — something they can’t afford to do in such a competitive marketplace, The Celica’s rear end in par- ticular now has a common fastback theme, with a short, high rear deck. The only unusual por- tion of the Celica’s styling is the new exposed headlight, replacing last year’s pop-up variety. Two large halogen lamps and two smatler driving lights are laid back to improve airflow, Apart from new styling, the most significant feature of the 1994 Celica is its lighter curb weight. My test vehicle, a well-equipped GT-S, weighed 1,170 kilograms (2,574 Ibs), or 175 kg (385 Ibs) less than a comparably equipped [993 model. Toyota claims the new Celica’s body shell is 10% lighter, but 20% more rigid. Other weight-saving measures include an aluminum radiator and aluminum bumper reinforcements. The weight savings translates into improved acceleration and braking times. My zero to 100 km/h (61 mph) acceleration tests indicated the new Celica is about one or two seconds quicker than before. In addition, the GT-S four wheel disc brakes do a superb braking job with very litte pedal effort. Weighing less, 1 expected the new Celica to be more fuel effi- cient; however, Transport Canada figures show the 1994 Celica (with a 2.2-litre engine) to be about the same as last year, averaging 9.3 litres per 100 kilometres (32 mpg) Price as tested $27,323 Base price $21,438 ype uwvo-door, four-passenger liftback Luyout) transverse engine/fromt wheel drive Engine 2.2-litre four cylinder, DOHC, 16 valves, multi-point fuel injection Horsepower 135 @ 5,400 rpm Torque [45-ft-lbs @ 4,400 rpm Transmission Five-speed man- ual (four-speed automatic) front with the manual five-speed transmission. The base 1.8-litre four-cylinder engine has dual overhead cam- shatts and four valves per cyl- inder, increasing performance and efficiency. Horsepower has in- creased from 103 to 110, but mare important ts an increase in torque which provides better response at lower engine speeds, making city driving easier and more enjoyable. Celica GT and GT-S models offer a 2.2-litre four-cylinder engine with 135 horsepower, the same engine as last year. This Tires. Michelin 205/55R-15 ra- dials Curb Weight Ibs) Wheelbase 2,540 mim (99.9 in.) Length 4,425 mm (174.2 in.) Width §,750 mm (68.9 in.) Height 1,290 mm (50.8 in.) Trunk capacity City: 10.3) 1/ 100 km (27 mpg) Hwy: 7.4 1/ 1¢0 km (38 mpg) Warranty Basic Three years/ 60,000 km; Powertrain five years/80,000 km Inquire about the Toyota Celica at Jim Pattison Toyota, 1765 Marine Dr., North Van- couver, 1,170 ke (2,580 engine offers lots of low-end punch, and good passing power, but it sounds buzzy at high engine revs, Ata steady 100 km/h (61 mph) on the flat, the Celica’s engine turns over 3,000 rpm, a lit- tle bit high for my tastes. In addition, 1 found the Celica’s Michelin 205/55R-!5-inch sum- mer radials to be a tad noisy. However, on city streets and winding rural roads, the Celica is very competent and a lot of fun to drive, The rack-and-pinion steering See ABS page 34