My FH5 Log: The last Celica

Series 3 of Forza Horizon 5 features numerous Toyotas returning in the game and the first in this new series update is the seventh and final generation Toyota Celica sports coupe, a Celica unlike its predecessors and one of the last sportscars launched before the new millennium. It's obtainable in Series 3's Wet Season Playlist.

Launched in the autumn of 1999, the T230 Toyota Celica is unlike its predecessors. It's offered only in front-wheel-drive and it runs on the same platform as the Camry. Under the hood, the Celica is powered by a 1.8L 4-cylinder engine in two different configurations with the SS-II variant is powered by the 2ZZ-GE engine producing 190PS of power and 18.4kgm of torque. Underneath, the seventh-generation Celica features a front strut coil and rear double-wishbone coil. Although it no longer bears a rally pedigree compared to its predecessor, the T230 Celica's involved in motorsport is now limited to NASCAR and SUPER GT's GT300 class. Production ended in 2006 with no direct successor, except in the US where it was succeeded by the Scion tC.

With the quick info done, it's time to give the final Celica a leisurely race...on the dirt. Roll the tape.

Live, Love, Drive. Enjoy your Celica!

Forza Horizon 4: Two Toyotas from the 70s

After a silent first half of the Series 23 update of Forza Horizon 4, the second half shows that they're back in business with four returning Toyotas in store for this Series. Right now, there are two returning Toyotas that can be obtained from this Series' Winter Horizon Playlist and these Toyotas came from the 70s; the first-generation Celica and the two-door second-generation Toyota Corolla.



First up, the first-generation Celica. Launched at the end of 1970, the Celica was meant to be the spiritual and affordable successor to the legendary 2000GT although the styling can be utterly mistaken for a Ford Mustang. Offered in a choice of a two-door coupe and a three-door liftback, the Celica is powered by a choice of a 1.4L, a 1.6L, and this; a 2.0L four-cylinder engine that produces 90hp of power.



Lastly, the coupe version of the second-generation Toyota Corolla. Launched in May 1970, the second-generation Corolla marked the evolution of what was known to be one of Toyota's longest-running nameplates in history, only behind the Crown. Throughout this generation, they've launched a two-door coupe version known as the Corolla Levin, the one seen here. The Levin is powered by a 1.6L four-cylinder engine mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox. Early models get about 100PS of power while the one with the 2T-G engine produces about 115PS of power.



Now that we get to know these two Toyotas, let's give 'em the old "twist 'n shout" approach just to see how capable these icons are.

Job well done. There's nothing else I can say.

Enjoy your new rides!

Forza Horizon 4: One of the two Celicas (Part Two)

There are two Toyota Celicas making a comeback in the Series 22 update of Forza Horizon 4. The last one is the Toyota Celica GT-Four RC ST185, which I've won from the Series 22 Horizon Winter Playlist. Now that I got my hands on it, let's talk about it before driving it.



The 5th-generation Toyota Celica was launched in 1989 and it is popularized by the Japanese TV commercials featuring comedian Eddie Murphy, bearing the "WANTED: NEW CELICA" slogan on it. In 1991, they've launched a GT-Four RC model, which serves as the homologation-base for Toyota's Group A rally car made to compete at the 1992 World Rally Championship. The GT-Four RC features an improved cooling system courtesy of water-based intercooler, better heat dissipation, improved exhaust system, and metal turbocharger turbines. All of the improvements are capable of pushing the 2.0L turbocharged engine's power output to 235hp.

Only 5,000 Celica GT-Four RCs are sold worldwide with 1,800 of these are sold in Japan.



Having heard stories about the ST185's rally success that gave Toyota their first WRC win, let's move away from the pack and head to LEGO Valley where I'll give this ST185 a minor herculean task to see how capable this WRC-winning machine is.

Job well done. There's nothing else I can say.

Enjoy your new ride!

Forza Horizon 4: One of the two Celicas (Part One)

There are two Toyota Celicas making a comeback in the Series 22 update of Forza Horizon 4. The first one is the Toyota Celica GT-Four ST205, which I've won from the Series 22 Horizon Summer Playlist. Now that I got my hands on it, let's talk about it before driving it.



Based on the 6th generation Celica, the GT-Four is a homologation special that is limited to 2,500 units to comply with the WRC regulations. The ST205 model is the most powerful Celica ever made with the 2.0L 3S-GTE turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 252hp of power while mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox. Although the Celica did find some success in rallying, its controversy easily overshadowed the Celica's rally success story because of the illegal turbo restrictors that cost them their 1995 Tour de Corse win, therefore Toyota is banned from the WRC a year later.



Controversy aside, let's take the ST205 for a nice drive on the dirty side of Fortune Island to see if it tries to shake off its dirty image, literally.

Job well done. There's nothing else I can say.

Enjoy your new ride!