Toyota revisits rally glory with GR86's Celica GT‑four tribute
Are you a fan of 90s rally racing, when Group A cars sped around the tracks? Or were you a supporter of the Toyota team, which dominated its rivals until it was uncovered for cheating? If so, Toyota might have just the thing for you. The GR86 model can be transformed to resemble the iconic Celica GT-Four—not just in appearance.
Following the disbandment of Group B, Lancia's team initially dominated the World Rally Championship. However, after several title wins, their car became outdated, and the Japanese teams began to take the lead. A vehicle was developed in Toyota Team Europe's German factory that ended Italian dominance.
Toyota built increasingly advanced rally cars to promote the Celica model across Europe. In the early 90s, they won two championship titles—largely due to Carlos Sainz's skill—solidifying their spot in the competitive lineup. However, while their successes were notable, a significant setback was on the horizon.
The great Toyota scandal
Towards the end of the 1994 season, TTE introduced a formidable vehicle—the Toyota Celica GT-Four with a large spoiler and enhanced mechanisms. Toyota wasn’t competing with Lancia, which had stopped developing Delta, but with a new, formidable rival—Subaru. The team had two-star drivers with the Impreza—Colin McRae and Carlos Sainz.
The Spaniard had previously earned two championships for Toyota but had to leave the team due to sponsorship conflicts; his sponsor was Repsol, while Toyota raced under Castrol's colours. Juha Kankkunen took his place, racing alongside Didier Auriol.
Unfortunately, the 1995 season wasn't favourable for Toyota, as a new regulation introduced an intake system restrictor to limit engine power. The Celica's engine couldn't demonstrate its full potential. Consequently, Subaru took the leading position and secured the championship title.
However, suspicions arose in the latter half of the season as the Celica GT-Four turned exceptionally fast despite not making up for earlier losses. Technical commissioners inspected the vehicle, and while initially, everything seemed fine, the mystery of the Celica ST205 GT-Four was ultimately unravelled.
It was discovered that a spring had been installed in the intake system. This spring expanded the restrictor under turbocharger pressure, thus allowing increased airflow. Without a running engine, the spring seemed insignificant and didn’t raise eyebrows. However, it engaged at higher RPMs.
Toyota's team was eventually disqualified for cheating and received a ban for the following season. The Celica GT-Four brought not triumphs but a disgrace to the Japanese brand. Yet, it became an icon due to its stylish design and the heated rallying period that piqued widespread interest.
GR 86 like Celica GT-Four
Two decades ago, Toyota might have wanted to forget the Celica, but today, there's recognition that not the earlier ST185 model but the ill-fated ST-205 GT Four is the most sought-after by rally fans. Its road version commands top prices and evokes passionate interest. This model inspired the creation of the Toyota GR86 Rally Legacy for the SEMA show in the US. And it's not just about a fancy paint job and a few added spoilers.
To properly honour the rally models of the 90s, engineers transplanted the entire GR-Four AWD drive system from the Toyota GR Corolla into the GR86. The Motorsports and Assets team at Toyota Motor North America modified the entire front section of the chassis to fit the 3-cylinder inline engine.
One might assume that such a "swap" wouldn't pose a problem, as the GR86 has a standard 2.4-litre engine, but it's longitudinally mounted and powers the rear wheels in a boxer layout. The GR Corolla, the engine is an inline design, transversely mounted by default, and drives all wheels. It’s installed similarly under the hood of the GR86.
The G16 engine, also known as the Toyota GR Yaris, was not only installed but also upgraded. It features a more efficient intercooler and oil cooler to enhance cooling and performance. Despite this, it maintains a standard output of around 300 hp but shows promise for easy enhancement.
Converting the GR86 into an AWD model necessitated substantial modifications to the front suspension to transmit power to the front wheels. The suspension was entirely revamped with coilover shocks and new control arms. Additional changes were made to the GR86's steering mechanism, and the rear axle was fitted with a differential from the GR Corolla.
This car deserves to be a factory model
All-wheel drive, 300 hp of power, and a coupe body—that's what rally enthusiasts have dreamed of since the Celica became a more conventional front-wheel-drive car with a naturally aspirated engine, known mostly for its oil consumption. A model like this would surely be a hot seller.
A factory-style paint job reminiscent of the period when Castrol sponsored the Toyota team was applied to achieve the iconic wow effect at SEMA. The large spoiler, rally wheels, and additional light bars for night stages, known as "power stations," were included. Even the Michelin tires received a rally-style paint treatment.
The interior has a roll cage, two sports seats, harness belts, a rally steering wheel, and an extended gear shift lever. Naturally, this setup is excessive for a regular road car, but Toyota spared no expense at SEMA. Given current regulations and environmental considerations, replicating this with a production model is unlikely. Moreover, there's little chance that Toyota will repeat the clever loophole tactics used in 1995.
