Answer: The Toyota Celica GT-Four models—ST165, ST185, and ST205—use the 3S-GTE turbo engine.
Context: The 3S-GTE in the Celica lineup
The 3S-GTE is Toyota’s 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that powered the Celica’s GT-Four rally variants. It was introduced to deliver all-wheel-drive performance for homologation and street use, and evolved through three generations in the Celica GT-Four lineup.
Below are the Celica generations that used the 3S-GTE engine in their GT-Four variant:
- ST165 (1986–1989): The first Celica GT-Four with 3S-GTE under the hood and four-wheel drive, built for rally homologation.
- ST185 (1989–1994): Second-generation GT-Four with upgraded turbo engine and drivetrain for improved performance.
- ST205 (1994–1999): Third-generation GT-Four with further refinement of the 3S-GTE and AWD system.
These three generations comprise the primary 3S-GTE-equipped Celica lineup. The regular Celica trims used other engines, such as the naturally aspirated 3S-GE in earlier years or the 1ZZ-FE in later ones, not the turbo 3S-GTE.
Details by Generation
ST165 (1986–1989)
The ST165 was the pioneering GT-Four version, introducing Toyota’s turbocharged 3S-GTE in a Celica with four-wheel drive. It established the GT-Four as Toyota’s rally-inspired variant within the Celica family and set the template for subsequent generations.
ST185 (1989–1994)
The ST185 refined the 3S-GTE and AWD package, offering improved turbo performance, cooling, and driveline durability to meet Group A rallying demands and deliver stronger road-going performance.
ST205 (1994–1999)
The final GT-Four generation to use the 3S-GTE featured further mechanical and electronic refinements, a more sophisticated all-wheel-drive system, and improved handling to match its higher power output and competitive positioning.
Other Celica engines
Outside the GT-Four lineup, Celica models used different powerplants, most notably the naturally aspirated 3S-GE and later 1ZZ-FE. The 3S-GTE remains the turbo option exclusive to the GT-Four variants.
Summary
The 3S-GTE turbo engine is tied to Toyota’s Celica GT-Four family, which includes ST165, ST185, and ST205. Those variants represent the evolution of the all-wheel-drive, rally-bred Celica lineup, while other Celica models used other engines.
Which Celica has 3S-GTE?
Table of S-block engines
| Code | Years | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 3S-GTE | 1986–1989 | Celica GT-Four (ST165) |
| 3S-GTE | 1990–1993 | Celica GT-Four (ST185), MR2 (SW20) |
| 3S-GTE | 1994–1999 | Celica GT-Four (ST205), MR2 (SW20) |
| 3S-GTE | 1999–2007 | Caldina GT-T (ST215W), Caldina GT-Four (ST246W) |
Why is the Celica GT4 so special?
The Toyota Celica GT-FOUR is a high performance model of the Celica Liftback, with a turbocharged 3S-GTE engine and full-time AWD. It was created to compete in the World Rally Championship, whose regulations dictate that a manufacturer must build road-going versions of the vehicle in sufficient numbers.
Why was the Celica GT4 banned?
During the 1995 World Rally Championship season, Toyota was caught using illegal turbo restrictor bypasses at the Rally Catalunya and were given a one-year ban by the FIA.
What Toyota has the 3S-GTE?
There are four generations of the Toyota 3SGTE/3SGE, which were used in the Toyota Celica, MR2, Caldina and Altezza. All 3SGTE engines had a displacement of 2.0 L, with the 3SGTE being the performance factory turbo designation.