Generation 7 of 7 · 1999–2006

7th-generation Toyota Celica

The last Celica: a front-wheel-drive liftback with two 1.8-litre engines, built until April 2006.

All generations
Red seventh-generation Toyota Celica parked in front of a white building
Seventh-generation Toyota Celica (T230). Photo: order_242 from Chile, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

In short

The key facts

  • Toyota released the seventh generation in Japan on 20 September 1999 and ended Celica production in April 2006.2
  • It came only as a liftback, which Toyota calls a hatchback coupé, on a new front-wheel-drive platform.2
  • Two 1.8-litre engines: the 1ZZ-FE with 145 PS and the 2ZZ-GE with 190 PS in Japan.23
  • It was 60 to 90 kg lighter than comparable versions of the sixth generation.2
  • Kanto Auto Works built it at its Higashi-Fuji plant in Susono, Japan.29

Sources differ. Power figures differ by market and by measuring standard (PS, bhp, hp), so we show each with its source.

Data

Production July 1999 – 21 April 200692
Launch in Japan 20 September 19992
Model codes ZZT230 (1ZZ-FE), ZZT231 (2ZZ-GE)23
Body style Liftback only12
Layout Front-wheel drive only23
Japan SS-I with 1ZZ-FE: 145 PS; SS-II with 2ZZ-GE: 190 PS453
UK 1.8 VVT-i (1ZZ-FE): 140 bhp; T Sport (2ZZ-GE): 189 bhp67
North America GT: 1.8 litres, 140 hp; GT-S: 1.8 litres, 180 hp8

Compare the 7th-generation versions side by side →

On the channel

Videos about this generation

Our videos about the 7th generation are on the way. Subscribe and you will see them first; each one gets an article here with tables and sources.

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Owning one

Gen 7 Garage

Buying, problems and maintenance of this generation, with a table of documented issues and their sources.

Open Gen 7 Garage →

Sources

  1. CarScoops: Toyota Celica Turns 50, A Look Back At The Seven Generations Of The Japanese Sports Car (Cristian Gnaticov, 18 October 2020)
  2. Toyota, 75 Years Vehicle Lineage: Celica Liftback, 7th generation (1999)
  3. JDMBUYSELL: Toyota Celica T230 Buyer's Guide (Christopher Weydert, updated 11 October 2026)
  4. toyota.jp catalogue archive: Celica SS-I, 5-speed manual (September 1999 – September 2000)
  5. toyota.jp catalogue archive: Celica SS-II, 6-speed manual (September 1999 – September 2000)
  6. Toyota (GB) press pack: New Celica, UK launch 1999 (PDF)
  7. Toyota (GB) press information: Celica T Sport, August 2001 (PDF)
  8. Consumer Guide Auto: 2000-05 Toyota Celica (Tom Appel, 30 July 2014)
  9. Wikipedia: Toyota Celica (used only where no other source has the fact)

Checked on 20 October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Write to hello@liftbacklegends.com.

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