Outline of new features for '96 model Celica, Changes from USDM '95 model to '96 Options

[MaskedMan]

Celica 1996 New Features

OUTLINE

1. Exterior Equipment
- The design of the front bumper has changed.
- The front turn signal has changed shape and the lens has been changed from amber to clear.
- A three post spoiler design has replaced the two post spoiler design.
- Sideskirts available as an option.

2. Interior Equipment
- The seat slider handle for front seats has been changed to a "loop" type.
- The amount of movement of vertical adjustment of the front seat cushion has been changed.

3. 7A-FE Engine
- The components of the engine proper and engine control system have been partially improved.

4. 5S-FE Engine
- The engine control system has been partially changed.
- The diagnosis system conforms to the OBD-II requirements.

5. A140E and A246E Automatic Transaxles
- The diagnosis system conforms to the OBD-II requirements.
- When the ECM on the '95 Celica detects a malfunction in the electric circuit of the ECT (Electronically Controlled Transaxle), it warns the driver by turning on a MIL (Malfunction Indicator Lamp), and flashing the O/D OFF indicator light. However, the '96 Celica has been modified to turn on only the MIL.

6. Brakes
- On models with rear disc brakes, the rear disc rotor thickness has been changed from the previous 10.0mm (0.394 in.) to 9.0mm (0.354 in.) to save weight.

7. Body
- An impact absorbing structure for side collisions is newly adopted to comply with the new FMVSS214 regulations (for reducing the risk of serious and fatal injury to occupants).
- The allocation of sound absorbing and vibration damping materials has been revised in order to reduce road noise.

8. Air Conditioning
- The variable volume control mechanism in the compressor has been discontinued on the
5S-FE engine, automatic transaxle models.
- A defroster-linked air conditioning startup control has been added to automatically engage the air conditioning when the defroster mode has been selected.

9. Cruise Control
- The control methods for the manual and auto cancel functions of the cruise control ECU have been changed.

10. Wiper
- The method of operating the wiper lever has been changed on all models.




IN-DEPTH DESCRIPTION OF NEW FEATURES W/ PICTURES

Exterior Equipment

1. Front Bumper, Front Fog Light, and Front turn Signal Light
The redesigned front bumper contains a bumper lower grille and front fog lights that convey a powerful, high-performance image. In addition, the front turn signals light lens has been changed from amber to clear.




2. Rear Spoiler
A wing type design has been adopted to give the rear spoiler a wide and swift look.



3. Side Mud Guard (Side Skirts)
A large side mud guard has been provided in the rocker area to give the Celica a more dynamic exterior design.

The side mud guard is made of Toyota Super Olefin Polymer (TSOP), a material that is known for its light weight, damage resistance, and superior surface quality. In addition to protecting the body from the flying stones and sand, the side mud guard reduces the sound made by stones and sand hitting the rocker area.




Interior Equipment
1. Front Seat

A loop-type slide handle has been adopted for ease of fore-and-aft slide adjustment.




- The height of the edge of the cushion, as the seat cushion is moved from the lowermost to the uppermost position, is lower than that of the '95 model. Thus, the infringement of the cushion seat surface against the driver's thighs has been minimized. As a result, the driver's access to the clutch and accelerator pedals has been improved, without being affected by differences in individual, physical charateristics of drivers.



7A-FE Engine
1. The 7A-FE engine in the '96 Celica has an increase in torque in the low to medium speed range and increase in fuel economy.

Performance Curve




1. Major Differences

The 7A-FE engine of the '96 Celica differs from the '95 Celica in the following areas.

Engine Proper- Low-tension type piston rings are used.

Intake and Exhaust Sytem- An EGR pipe is built into the intake manifold. In addition to making the port sections of the intake manifold smaller and the port lengths longer, the intake air chamber volume and shape have been changed to flatten the torque characteristics in the practical speed range.

Valve Mechanism- The timing of the intake and exhaust valves has been changed, and the intake valve
lift amount has been changed from 7.6mm (0.30 in.) to 7.4mm (0.29 in.)

Ignition System- The igniter, which was previously integrated with the distributor, is now separate.

Emission Control System- The TWC (Three-Way Catalytic Converter), which was previously installed below the
exhaust manifold, has been discontinued.


2. Engine Control System

General

The following changes have been made to the engine control system.

SFI (Sequential Multiport Fuel Injection)-
1. The fuel injection system is changed from the 2-group type MFI system to a sequential multiport fuel injection type SFI system.
2. A heated oxygen sensor (Bank 1, Sensor 2) is used.
3. Instead of using the IDL signal input from the throttle position sensor, the ECM now uses the VTA signal to detect the completely closed state of the throttle valve.
4. A crankshaft position sensor is used on all models. Accordingly, the Ne pick-up coil in the distributor has been discontinued.

IAC (Idle Air Control)- The VSV for air conditioner idle-up has been discontinued, so the idle speed is controlled by the IAC valve only.

Diagnosis-
1. The diagnosis system conforms to OBD-II.
2. The EGR gas temperature sensor has been discontinued.

The new 7A-FE engine uses a signal from the manifold absolute pressure sensor (PIM) to detect any malfunctions in the EGR system.


5S-FE Engine

1. Engine Control System

General
The following changes have been made to the engine control system.

SFI (Sequential Multiport Fuel Injection)-
1. The fuel injection system is changed from the 2-group type MFI system to a sequential multiport fuel injection type SFI system.
This system has already been adopted to California specification models.
2. Instead of using the IDL signal input from the throttle position sensor, the ECM now uses the VTA signal to detect the completely closed state of the throttle valve.
3. A crankshaft position sensor is used on all models. Accordingly, the Ne pick-up coil in the distributor has been discontinued.

IAC (Idle Air Control)- The VSV for air conditioner idle-up has been discontinued, so the idle speed
is controlled by the IAC valve only.

Fuel Pressure Control- The fuel pressure control system has been discontinued, so the VSV for fuel
pressure control has also been discontinued.

Diagnosis-
1. The diagnosis system conforms to OBD-II.
2. The EGR gas temperature sensor has been discontinued.

The new 5S-FE engine uses a signal from the manifold absolute pressure sensor (PIM) to detect any malfunctions in the EGR system.


Body

1. Impact Absorbing Structure

The body shell contruction of the '96 model has been modified as described below.

- A center pillar reinforcement connecting the lower part of the center pillar and center floor cross member is adopted to ensure a high level of center pillar strength.




- An energy absorbing pad and rib are provided at the upper shoulder and lower arm rest areas of the door trim and the quarter trim to ensure a high level of energy absorbent for side collisions.




2. Sound Absorbing and Vibration Damping Materials

The quality of sound absorbing and vibration damping materials has been revised, and the application of these materials has been expanded, in accordance with the vibration characteristics of the various areas of the body. The resultant decrease in the road noise level enhances the vehicle's quiet performance.




Wiper

1. General

The operation method of the washer function (squirting of the washer fluid and 2 wipes of the windshield) has been changed from pushing the washer button at the end of the lever to pulling the lever backward to improve the ease of use of the wipers.

The mist operation (windshield single sweep) and washer button have been discontinued accompanying this change.



This post has been edited by MaskedMan: Dec 15, 2009 - 2:58 AM

[MaskedMan]

Thanks guys! And thanks for all the added information too! I'm still researching more information. I'm going to try to do one for every year from 95-99 to see what new features were available. I figured that 95-96 was the biggest change to the 6th gen, so I did that one first.

What about '93-'94?


-TC

I could, but that's boarder line off-topic haha. I would just be describing the awesomeness of the 6th gen, and it wouldn't be a very useful post

I goota say that I prefer the 2 posts spoiler... 96+ reminds me of the 5th gen

Most people like the look of the 2 post over the 3 post as well.