Toyota Celica GT-Four anniversary is marked with a special event
By Jamie White – Head of Communications
The era of Toyota’s dominance in the World Rally Championship was celebrated recently when the GT-Four Owners Club marked the 20th anniversary of the Celica GT-four ST205.
More than 50 cars gathered at the Prescott Speed Hill Climb in Gloucestershire and took the opportunity to demonstrate the Celica’s turn of speed and handling on the challenging course.
Versions of the ST205, based on the sixth-generation Celica, were joined by the earlier ST165 and ST185 GT-Four models.
The ST205 was a true competition-bred car, developed with help from Toyota Team Europe, the then reigning World Rally Champions. The Celica’s 2.0-litre four-cylinder twin-cam 16 valve engine was substantially modified with a larger, water intercooled turbocharger and reworked valves and ports, increasing maximum power to 239bhp.
With permanent four-wheel drive, it could accelerate from 0-62mph in 6.1 seconds and reach a top speed of 153mph.
It proved a winner at the highest level, driven by Didier Auriol to Toyota’s third successive WRC manufacturers title.
Toyota helped the UK owners club celebrate with a guest appearance from the Lexus LFA, a giant cake and commemorative GT-Four stickers. A prize draw for passenger rides up the hill climb in the LFA raised £400 for charity.
Ferdy Gottschall, committee member for the club said: “We would like to thank Toyota for its support. It’s not every manufacturer who would support a bunch of die-hard enthusiasts, but the contribution to the event was fantastic, not least bring the LFA and giving members the chance of a once-in-a-lifetime passenger ride.”
Mystery Shopping and Performance Improvement company, Douglas Stafford, provides Toyota with a tailored and bespoke nationwide mystery shopping programmes to include Telephone Mystery Shopping, Email Mystery Shopping and Video Mystery Shopping.
Follow mystery shopping and performance improvement company, Douglas Stafford:
on Twitter @DouglasStafford
on Facebook facebook.com/douglasstafforduk
