Toyota Celica

The Celica entered its seventh generation for the 2000 model year, marking a bold new design direction for the long-running sport coupe. Aiming to recapture the youthful enthusiasm of the original 1971 Celica, Toyota’s designers crafted a sleeker, more aggressive-looking body with a low, wide stance. Gone were the rounded contours of the previous generation, replaced by chiseled lines and a steeply raked windshield. Under the hood was a choice of 1.8-liter four-cylinder engines: a 140-horsepower unit in the base GT trim and a more potent 180-hp version in the sporty GT-S. Both could be paired with a manual transmission. Though not a pure sports car, the 2000-05 Celica blended style, performance and efficiency in a package targeted at younger buyers.

The Celica entered its sixth generation for the 1994 model year. The new car wore a more rounded, aerodynamic design than its angular predecessor, with distinctive ovoid headlights replacing the previous pop-up units. Two four-cylinder engines were offered: a 1.8-liter developing 110 horsepower for the base Celica ST, and a 2.2-liter good for 135 horsepower in the more gymnastic GT. Both could be paired with a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission. Coupe and liftback body styles were offered from the start, and a convertible joined for 1995.