Performance Review: Toyota Celica GT Four ST165 - [1986]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Toyota Celica Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Toyota Celica GT Four ST165 is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1986. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1987 Porsche 959 Turbo and the 1987 Ferrari F40 2.9 V8.This particular Toyota Celica has a 1998cc Turbo 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 All Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the or the .

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1350 kgs (2976 lbs) this makes the Toyota Celica GT Four ST165 in the same weight category as the 2021 Aston-Martin Valkyrie Coupe 6.5 V12 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 1998cc 16V St4 engine produces 185 bhp (137 kW) @ 6000 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 Turbo St4 throws out 177 lb-ft (239.9 Nm) @ 4000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (162 lb-ft) or the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (184 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 2007 Vauxhall-Opel Corsa 1.6 VXR (162.0 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Toyota Celica.

The Toyota Celica has a Power to weight ratio of 137.0 bhp per ton and 131.1 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1986 Celica competing with the 2007 Vauxhall-Opel Corsa 1.6 VXR (162.0 bhp per ton) or the 1965 Plymouth Barracuda S 273 (161.9 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 131.1 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 1996 BMW Z3 E36 2.8L Roadster (155.9 lb-ft per ton) or the 2001 Ford Thunderbird 4.0L V8 (155.9 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 7.70 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 8.0 secs, this made the Toyota Celica GT Four ST165 as fast as the 2010 Citroen DS4 200 1.6 Turbo (7.70 secs) the 2006 Volkswagen-VW Polo 1.8T GTi (7.70 secs) the 2005 Audi Q7 4.2 V8 (7.70 secs) the or the 2005 Mitsubishi Colt CZT 1.5 Turbo (7.70 secs). This Toyota Celica GT Four ST165 is also faster than the 2017 Ford Focus 2.0 ST-3 TDCi 185PS (7.80 secs) the 2015 Ford Focus 2.0 ST-2 TDCi 185PS (7.80 secs) the 2007 Lexus IS 250 AWD (7.80 secs) the and the 2001 MG ZT 2.5 V6 190 (7.80 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Celica and the 1992 Mazda RX7 Turbo

When talking about the performance of the Toyota Celica on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.3 secs @ 89.4 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1992 Mazda RX7 Turbo (15.23 secs), the 2015 Ford Focus ST-3 2.0 Turbo Estate (15.24 secs), and the 1993 Porsche 968 Club Sport (15.25 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1986 version of the Toyota Celica GT Four ST165 has a maximum speed of 137mph.

Top Speed of the 1986 Celica equals the 2016 Mini Cooper Clubman John Cooper Works 2.0 Turbo Auto (148 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1986 Toyota Celica GT Four ST165 then how about the 2016 Mini Cooper Clubman John Cooper Works 2.0 Turbo Auto (148 mph), the 2016 Mini Cooper Clubman John Cooper Woks 2.0 Turbo (148 mph), or the 2012 Jaguar XJ V6 (148 mph).

Related Links:

1986 Celica Rivals List.

A Brief History of Toyota

Car Comparison