The World Rally Championship is the pinnacle of off-road competition. It is rightly referred to as Formula One in the forest.
Cars which win need not only to be blindingly fast but absolutely durable.
Spaniard Carlos Sainz won his first World Rally Championship in 1990, driving a Toyota Celica GT-Four. His victory halted years of European domination.
Now Toyota has built a new, special vehicle with which Sainz will again attack the title.
To meet World Rally Championship Group A homologation, a limited production of 5,000 Celica GT-Four Group A Rallye versions have been prepared for the world.
Only 150 will come to Australia.
This is an evolutionary car compared to the conventional Celica GT-Four.
The significantly enhanced specifications of the GT-Four Group A Rallye emphasise its sole reason for existence.
The Celica GT-Four Group A Rallye is Australia's most powerful two litre sports car. The Twin Cam Multi-valve engine has a new water-cooled intercooler to stabalise its twin entry turbocharger. It has a much wider torque band.
Large capacity discs: 277mm on the front, 288mm rear are linked to an ABS, anti-skid braking system. Front discs are ventilated for optimum
heat dispersion. Engine cooling capacity is approximately doubled. The Group A Rallye has been engineered to maximise performance opportunity. Bonnet scoops duct air to several key areas.
Clutch pedal and gear shift throw have been shortened to make shift movement more precise.
Factory fitted air conditioning and AM/FM stereo with CD player are standard fitment.
Every Toyota Celica GT-Four Group A Rallye will bear an individual plaque with the name of its original owner.
The Toyota Celica GT-Four Group A Rallye produces 153kW (ECE) of power at 6000rpm and 275Nm (ECE) of torque at 3200rpm. Peak torque is now available from 3200rpm to 4800rpm.