ST185 Models A lot of people know that Toyota released the ST185 also with a narrow body shell in Japan, but it doesn't stop there. Actually, there are quite some variations of the ST185 released worldwide. On this page you'll find them all, or at least all versions I know of. So please contact me if there are even more models out there which I haven't listed here! For detailed technical specifications of the ST185 models, please see the ST185 Specifications page. Japanese domestic market GT-Four GT-Four Rally GT-Four V GT-Four A GT-Four RC GT-Four We start with the basic model, the GT-Four. After it's release in September 1989, only a narrow body model with 14" wheels and twin pot front brakes was available. The name GT-Four is an abbreviation of 'Grand Touring Fulltime On-road Uniquely Responsive', although some say it was derived from 'Gran Turismo' and the 4wd system the car has. The price of a narrow body GT-Four was 2,683,000 JPY plus taxes, while the later spec. (facelift model) widebody with 15" wheels and bigger single pot front brakes cost 2,970,000 JPY.
GT-Four Rally The GT-Four Rally was introduced as a competition-based version of the normal GT-Four, which meant is was lighter and quicker. To achieve this, electric items such as electric windows and mirrors were changed with manual parts. ABS was not available and the narrow body model had no sunroof, fog lights or rear windscreen wiper. Even hubcaps and mudguards were left off to reduce the weight. These changes made the GT-Four Rally 40 kg lighter than the normal Four. Also, the first four gears got shorter ratios to allow the car to accelerate even faster. All Rally models had steel wheels as standard. The price of an early narrow body Rally was 2,385,000 JPY. The (heavier) widebody version with yellow fog lights as standard was available at 2,686,000 JPY plus taxes.
GT-Four V To offer a cheaper option next to the normal GT-Four for younger buyers, Toyota also introduced the GT-Four V. The V stands for 'Veloce' or speed. The specifications of the 'V' match that of the narrow body Rally model quite a lot with the biggest exception being the lack of the E152F short ratio gearbox. The GT-Four V also had the smaller 14" steel wheels (with hubcaps this time) and no ABS. Where the normal Four had an electric 8-way adjustable drivers seat and a leather wrapped steering wheel, the GT-Four V had a cheaper manual seat and utherane steering wheel. Little extra's like a cup holder or a warning buzzer to indicate the lights were still on were also taken out of the GT-Four V to lower its price. At the time, a GT-Four V cost 2,425,000 JPY plus taxes.
GT-Four A Near the end of August 1990 Toyota introduced the GT-Four A. The A stands for 'Adovansu' or advanced and this is the first ST185 model to use the widebody shell. The GT-Four A came on 15" wheels to fit over the slightly bigger front brake setup and got an improved set of lights - yellow headlights and yellow fog lights. The optional 10 speaker sound system of the normal GT-Four was also standard in the 'A'. These extra's came at additional cost though; with a price of 2,900,000 JPY the GT-Four A was over 8% more expensive than the normal Four. A year after its introduction the GT-Four A was taken out of production. In reality though, the production didn't stop but the car lost the 'A' badges as well as the yellow headlights, because from that point the normal GT-Four also had the widebody shell and bigger wheels and brake package.
GT-Four RC A month after the GT-Four got updated, Toyota introduced their flagship model of the ST185; The GT-Four RC (Rally Competition). Out of the 5000 homologation models produced to allow the car to enter the FIA World Rally Championship, a limited number of 1800 cars was available in Japan. Like the European 'Carlos Sainz' equivalent, the RC got a numbered plaque in front of the gear lever. Technically the car also got quite some advantages compared to the normal GT-Four while its bonnet and front bumper gave the RC a different look. Performance wise the RC puts out 235 ps - 10 more than the normal 'Four. When new, the GT- Four RC cost 3,166,000 JPY plus taxes. The limited edition number is in no way connected to the frame number and as far as I know the numbers are placed randomly in the cars that left the factory.
Australian market GT-Four Same as the JDM GT-Four but both the early and late spec models only came as widebodies with 15" wheels. The same model has been sold in New Zealand (please see the ST185 Specifications page).
GT-Four GrpA Rallye Roughly the same as the JDM GT-Four RC (please see the ST185 Specifications page). Out of the 5000 homologation models produced, a limited number of 150 cars was available in Australia.
European market Turbo 4wd Roughly the same as the JDM GT-Four but both the early and late spec models only came as widebodies with 15" wheels (please see the ST185 Specifications page).
Turbo 4wd Carlos Sainz Limited Edition Roughly the same as the JDM GT-Four RC (please see the ST185 Specifications page). Out of the 5000 homologation models produced, a limited number of 3050 cars was available, most of them in Europe.
North American market Turbo All-Trac & Turbo 4wd The Celica Turbo All-Trac is the American equivalent of the GT-Four, of which a total of 1,746 have been sold in the US. They have different mirrors compared to all other models as well as other marker lights and indicators. In Canada the cars were sold as Turbo 4wd instead of All-Trac. Both the early and late spec models only came as widebodies with 15" wheels (please see the ST185 Specifications page).
Related links GT-Four history ST185 Model code explanation ST185 Specifications Top |
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