Toyota Celica GT-Four ST205: Japan's Rally Legend Complete Guide

In the early 1990s, Toyota's Celica GT-Four was terrorizing rally stages worldwide, competing at the highest level of the World Rally Championship against the Subaru Impreza and Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution. The ST205 — the final and most powerful evolution of the GT-Four — is one of the most capable and collectable road cars Japan has ever produced. This is its complete story.

Rally Heritage: Built to Win the WRC

Toyota entered the World Rally Championship seriously in 1990 with the ST165 Celica GT-Four. By the time the ST205 arrived in 1994, Toyota had developed three generations of rally-focused Celica, each more extreme than the last. The ST205 was built specifically to compete with the new generation of Group A rally cars from Subaru (Impreza WRX STI) and Mitsubishi (Lancer Evo).

The rally program peaked with the 1994 WRC season where Didier Auriol drove the Celica GT-Four to WRC victories. Toyota won the Manufacturers Championship in 1993 and 1994 — achievements made possible by the platform that the ST205 road car was built upon.

Engine: The 3S-GTE Turbocharged Legend

The ST205 uses Toyota's celebrated 3S-GTE turbocharged engine — the same basic architecture found in the MR2 Turbo and earlier Celica GT-Four models, but significantly revised for the ST205:

• Displacement: 1,998cc inline-4 turbocharged
• Power: 255 PS (252 hp) at 6,000 rpm (JDM spec)
• Torque: 314 Nm at 4,000 rpm
• Turbocharger: CT20B ceramic turbine (upgraded from CT20A)
• Compression ratio: 8.5:1
• 0-100 km/h: 5.3 seconds

The 3S-GTE is legendary for its tunability. With basic bolt-on modifications (exhaust, intake, intercooler, and ECU tune), reliable 300+ PS is achievable. Built engines with forged internals are regularly tuned to 400-450 PS on this platform, making the ST205 a genuine tuner's dream.

AWD System: The SuperStrut Advantage

The ST205 uses Toyota's E-ACD (Electronic Active Center Differential) all-wheel drive system — an evolution of the Viscous LSD centre differential from the ST185. The system distributes torque between front and rear axles electronically based on driving conditions. Combined with a front and rear Viscous LSD, the result is exceptional traction in all conditions.

The ST205 also introduced SuperStrut front suspension — a more complex double wishbone-derived design that significantly reduces steering kickback under hard acceleration. This was directly inspired by Toyota's rally car development.

Key Differences Between ST205 and Earlier GT-Four Models

vs ST185 (1989-1993): The ST205 has more power (+25 PS), SuperStrut suspension, wider bodywork, larger brakes, and the revised CT20B turbocharger. The ST205 is the more complete and capable car.

vs ST165 (1986-1989): The ST165 is the original — simpler and lighter but significantly less powerful and less sophisticated in its AWD system.

Special Variants

Carlos Sainz Edition: A limited-edition ST205 celebrating Carlos Sainz's 1990 and 1992 WRC championships with Toyota. Features unique gold wheels, special interior badging, and Carlos Sainz signature decals. Only 2,500 units were made — extremely collectible today.

WRC Homologation Editions: Toyota produced several special variants to meet Group A homologation requirements, with upgrades including revised suspension geometry and cooling improvements.

Essential JDM Parts and Performance Upgrades

Turbo and Boost Upgrades

The CT20B turbocharger is the first bottleneck for more power. Upgrading to a HKS GT2835 or Garrett GT28RS with supporting fuel and intercooler upgrades is the most popular route to 300+ PS. Toyota-specific turbo kits from Tomei and Sard are the top choices for reliability.

Intercooler Upgrade

The factory side-mount intercooler is limiting at higher power levels. A front-mount intercooler conversion using HKS or GReddy intercooler kits brings intake temperatures down significantly and supports higher power levels.

Exhaust System

Full exhaust systems from Tomei Expreme and HKS Hi-Power free up exhaust flow and produce an incredible turbo spool sound. The 3S-GTE sounds fantastic with proper exhaust work.

Suspension

Coilovers from Tein or Cusco specifically designed for the ST205 work with the SuperStrut geometry. Setting the car lower and stiffer dramatically sharpens its already excellent handling.

ECU Tuning

The ST205's factory ECU responds well to custom tuning. A HKS F-CON iS piggyback or full standalone ECU replacement allows precise control over boost, ignition timing, and fuel delivery for maximum power.

Buying Guide: What to Look For

The ST205 is increasingly rare and values are rising. When inspecting one:

• Turbocharger condition: Check for oil leaks and listen for bearing wear. Rebuild or replace with an uprated unit.
• AWD system: Test the centre differential operation. Engage AWD in low-speed turning and check for binding.
• SuperStrut components: Inspect the complex front suspension for wear — parts availability can be challenging.
• Cooling system: The 3S-GTE runs hot. Inspect radiator, coolant hoses, and thermostat condition carefully.
• Body: The wide arches attract rust in the wheel arches. Inspect carefully around the flares.

Why the Celica GT-Four ST205 is the Most Underrated JDM Car

While the Evo and STI get most of the rally car glory, the Toyota Celica GT-Four ST205 is arguably the most sophisticated of the three. Its SuperStrut suspension, E-ACD system, and the legendary 3S-GTE engine create a package that remains genuinely competitive even today. Prices are still below Evo and STI equivalents but not for much longer — the GT-Four's time is coming.

At Grovexo Industries, we stock genuine JDM performance parts for the Toyota Celica GT-Four — including turbo upgrades, HKS exhaust systems, Cusco suspension parts, and intercooler kits. Browse Celica GT-Four parts at Grovexo.