Celica has always been better overseas, nealry all gens. had more performance Options

[saleeka]

it just dawned on me tonight after looking at older celi's online that North American celicas have ALWAYS been the underperformers in comparison to their Japaese and European counterparts... The only true "exception" is the 7th gen, but euro and JDM models have a less restrictive exaust system, and they have 9 more HP then ours...

First and second gen. JDMs had many more engine choices, including 2 twincam fours, tops a 2.0 that put out up to 140 hp... US versions got stuck with an R-series motor that was always around 85-100 hp tops... 3rd gen JDM was available with the twincams still, and the 3T-GTEU turbo that put out about 160 hp. Our best model was still an R-series, but with fuel injection, and ready for this, 116 hp... 4th gen. JDM's had the same 3SGE as us but with 20 more HP,and the 4AGE was available. 5th gens in japan had 165 hp 3SGE's, and their 3S-GTE made 25 more hp... As we all know 6th gens had Gt-Fours and their 3SGE now made 177-200 hp... Whats up with all that? the 4th gen i'd say was the best attempt at the US being close to the JDM's for older models, but seriously...