The 1990 Toyota Celica will remain in history as one of the most successful rally-cars ever made, with over 30 WRC wins and world titles for the team or its drivers.
In the mid-’90s, Toyota struggled to beat the other carmakers in the World Rally Championship, but the Lancia and Ford teams were faster. The Japanese carmaker knew that without an all-wheel-drive version will lose the game, and then, in 1989, it introduced the Celica lineup with the GT4 as the most potent version. Then, everything changed, and it became the car to beat.

The 1990 Celica switched from its predecessor’s angled design to the rounded shapes of the biodesign era. Its pop-up headlights were still en-vogue, and the curved, short cabin was designed to minimize drag resistance. Toyota offered the car either as a hatchback or as a coupe. The GT4 was available only as a hatchback and sported an air-intake and a few extra vents on the hood.

Inside, the carmaker installed four seats, but there was very limited room in the back, even for a toddler. In many countries, a 2-seat car was taxed more than if it had four. Toyota installed a rounded instrument cluster with the minimum information required. Only the GT4 version featured an oil temperature gauge.

Toyota offered the Celica with a choice of engines ranged between 103 hp and 200 hp. Only the latter was fitted with an all-wheel-drive system.