ST185

From Celica GT-Four / Alltrac - ST165 ST185 and ST205

The 5th Gen celica, rounded, pop-up headlights. 2nd generation 3S-GTE engine with TVIS. This model came in a few versions.

Normal Body

This is for Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) only from October 1989 to August 1991. The normal body ST185 was offered as high grade GT-Four, economy version GT-Four V, and for motorsports use GT-Four Rally.

The GT-Four has optional ABS, Leather interior, 10-Speaker Super Live Sound System, and Sunroof. Fog lights, 14-inch alloy wheels, and Power Driver's Seat are standard. The GT-Four V has no fog lights or alloys, but sunroof is optional. The GT-Four Rally comes with closer ratio gearbox, and does not have power windows.

Wide Body

All the export versions are wide body. The wide body ST185 comes with either air-to-air intercooler, or Group A homologation model with water-to-air intercooler. Export versions were given the CS gearbox and the option of a torsen rear differential.

The model with air-to-air intercooler is called GT-Four A in Japan, Turbo All-trac in the USA, Turbo 4WD in Canada and most European countries, or just GT-Four in UK and Australia. The export versions started production from October 1989, however the GT-Four A was launched in Japan in August 1990. 10-Speaker Super Live Sound System is standard on the GT-Four A.

As other front wheel drive Celicas, the ST185 got minor changes in August 1991. It has Toyota's ellipse (T) emblems on the hood and trunk, revised tail lights with smoked-red frame, and shorter gear shift. All JDM models are wide body and got round fog lights. The export versions retain old fog lights behind the lower grille.

CS and RC Versions

To compete in the World Rally Championship (WRC), manufacturers must build 5,000 units special model in order to be homologated in FISA's Group A Regulation. From August 1991 to February 1992, Toyota manufactured 5,000 units GT-Four RC. For export market, this model is called Group A Rallye in Australia, or Carlos Sainz Limited Edition in Europe and Singapore.

The GT-Four RC / Carlos Sainz has water to air intercooler, slightly improved gearbox, torsen rear differential, large vent on the bonnet instead of a scoop - a better base for tuning but essentially very similar, and a small scoop directly to cool the timing belt (although this is blocked off at the timing belt end), and light weight front and rear bumpers.

The CS and RC versions also have more aggressively tuned ECUs and, on later models, higher fuel maps - an anonymous donor has informed me the CS/RCs fuel cut is 17psi and this seems to fit with info from a few CS owners.

JDM vs Other markets

JDM cars, of all models, have their ECU tuned to accomodate higher octane fuel. They do not have headlight washers. They do not have bonnet spoilers. They have decals on the sides said GT-Four Twin Entry Ceramic Turbo Full Time Four Wheel Drive, GT-Four A, or GT-Four RC depending on the model, also known affectionately as "the essay" by a lot of the UK contingent.