Performance Review: Toyota Celica 1.8 VVTi T-Sport 190 - [2003]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Toyota Celica Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Toyota Celica 1.8 VVTi T-Sport 190 is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2003. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2004 Westfield Sport 2000S and the 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VIII MR FQ 400.This particular Toyota Celica has a 1794cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St4's includes the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo

The Celica shares its Petrol St4 engine configuration with the likes of the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo and the 2013 Caterham 7 620 R 2.0 L Supercharged. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Celica's Front Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Golf R Performance 2.0 Turbo or the 2020 Toyota Avalon TRD 3.5 V6.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1215 kgs (2678 lbs) this makes the Toyota Celica 1.8 VVTi T-Sport 190 in the same weight category as the 2020 Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line or the give or take 50kg.

The Toyota Celica shares the same bhp with the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (177 bhp)

In terms of power the 1794cc 16V St4 engine produces 189 bhp (140 kW) @ 7600 rpm similar to the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (177 bhp) or the 2020 Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line (197 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St4 throws out 133 lb-ft (180.3 Nm) @ 6800 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2015 Mazda MX5 2.0i Roadster Coupe (148 lb-ft) or the 2013 Caterham 7 485 2.0L (152 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Toyota Celica you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 1969 Ferrari 246 Dino GT (180.5 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Toyota Celica.

The Toyota Celica has a Power to weight ratio of 155.5 bhp per ton and 109.4 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2003 Celica competing with the 1969 Ferrari 246 Dino GT (180.5 bhp per ton) or the 1956 Studebaker Golden Hawk 5.8L V8 352 (180.4 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Toyota Celica generating around 109.4 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2004 Audi A4 2.0T FSI Quattro (134.4 lb-ft per ton) or the 2002 Seat Leon Sport FR 1.8 20VT 180 (134.2 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 7.20 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 7.4 secs, this made the Toyota Celica 1.8 VVTi T-Sport 190 as fast as the 2018 Abarth 695 XSR Yamaha Automated (7.20 secs) the 2015 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTD 2.0 TDI DSG (7.20 secs) the 2014 Peugeot 308 GT 1.6 Turbo (7.20 secs) the or the 2013 Volvo S60 T5 2.5 Turbo (7.20 secs). This Toyota Celica 1.8 VVTi T-Sport 190 is also faster than the 2019 Peugeot 508 PureTech 225 GT S and S (7.30 secs) the 2013 Vauxhall-Opel Insignia 2.0 SIDI Turbo 4x4 (7.30 secs) the 2013 Seat Leon SC 2.0 TDI FR (7.30 secs) the and the 2013 Subaru BRZ 2L 210ps (7.30 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Celica and the 2008 Bentley Azure T 6.8 V8

When talking about the performance of the Toyota Celica on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.96 secs @ 91.4 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2008 Bentley Azure T 6.8 V8 (14.90 secs), the 1966 Buick Riviera 6.6l V8 (14.90 secs), and the 2011 KIA Optima 2.0 Turbo (14.90 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2003 version of the Toyota Celica 1.8 VVTi T-Sport 190 has a maximum speed of 140mph.

Top Speed of the 2003 Celica equals the 2020 Lotus Elise Cup 250 1.8 Supercharged (151 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2003 Toyota Celica 1.8 VVTi T-Sport 190 then how about the 2020 Lotus Elise Cup 250 1.8 Supercharged (151 mph), the 2013 Volkswagen-VW Polo R WRC 2.0 Turbo (151 mph), or the 2006 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTi Edition 30 DSG (151 mph).

Related Links:

2003 Celica Rivals List.

A Brief History of Toyota

Car Comparison