Celica ST184 (Mk5)

Astoundingly, Toyota failed to capitalise on the success of the previous Celica with the “organically-styled” ST184 generation.

A curiously bulbous body lost much of the old car’s crispness, while extra weight and softer suspension blunted the performance and handling respectively.

However the ride, refinement and comfort levels improved.

Worse still though was the deletion of the electrifying 103kW 2.0-litre 3S-FE unit for the more pedestrian 99kW/194Nm 2.2-litre twin-cam 16-valve 5S-FE four-cylinder engine, which was a development of the old ST’s unit.

Both coupe and hatchback variants were offered in SX trim.

The five-speed manual-only, turbocharged, full-time four-wheel drive Celica GT-Four (ST185) of early 1990 was slightly longer and wider than the front-wheel drive SX models, and could top 230km/h.

It introduced a turbocharged version of the old SX’s high-performance 2.0-litre engine (3S-GTE) – albeit at a hefty premium. Power and torque outputs were 150kW and 281Nm respectively. The 4WD system split torque between all wheels via a viscous coupled centre differential.

From early ’91 a round of trim changes was incorporated in all Celicas, along with more standard equipment and new colours.

The GT-Four gained ABS brakes.