2000 Toyota Ultimate Celica Concept

In collaboration with Rod Millen Motorsports and Toyota Racing Development (TRD), Toyota USA unveiled the Ultimate Celica, a formidable all-wheel-drive powerhouse boasting an impressive 500 horsepower.

Designed for extreme driving excitement, the Ultimate Celica featured a race-bred suspension, custom exhaust system, Recaro sport seats with four-point belts, an integrated roll cage, a racing fuel cell, performance tires, and 19-inch BBS magnesium racing wheels. The concept embraced Champ Car-inspired styling, widening its appearance with new body pieces by 3.8 inches in the front and 3.2 inches in the rear.

To achieve the 500 horsepower goal, TRD enhanced a four-cylinder production powerplant previously used in Toyota’s championship-winning IMSA GTP race cars. The engine underwent modifications such as increased bore and stroke, turbocharger installation, and custom-built headers made of inconel, resulting in 500 horsepower at 8,000 rpm and 340 lbs.-ft. of torque at 5,500 rpm.

To accommodate the power increase, the Celica’s front-wheel-drive powertrain was transformed into an all-wheel-drive system. Bilstein struts and springs were adjusted for weight balance, and oversized racing brakes were added for improved braking power. A custom roll cage by Rod Millen Motorsports stiffened the chassis, with front tubes discreetly welded to existing bodywork and the remainder hidden behind the front seats.

The Ultimate Celica's appearance was further sharpened by 245/35 Michelin Pilot performance tires, and its unique color was developed and applied in a special three-stage process at the Calty studios. This high-performance concept, featuring a 5-speed manual transmission, not only showcased Toyota's commitment to innovation but also embodied the perfect synergy between power, style, and cutting-edge engineering.

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