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Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →The Toyota Celica SS-III was a Japanese-market, front-wheel-drive sixth-generation Celica with a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter 3S-GE engine. Toyota’s catalogs list 180 PS for a 1996 example and 200 PS for a 1999 entry. That makes the SS-III an interesting car to consider alongside the Integra Type R—but the available evidence does not establish a direct rivalry, a head-to-head result or a shared development target.
What the Celica SS-III is
Toyota identifies the SS-III as an E-ST202 three-door coupe in its Japanese-market catalog. The June 1996 entry lists five seats, front-wheel drive and a 1,998 cc 3S-GE engine. Toyota describes the engine as naturally aspirated; it is not the turbocharged GT-Four powertrain.
For a June 1996 SS-III, Toyota records 180 PS (132 kW) at 7,000 rpm and 191.2 N·m at 4,800 rpm. The catalog example weighs 1,210 kg and measures 4,435 × 1,750 × 1,305 mm, with a 2,535 mm wheelbase. It specifies 205/55R15 tires and premium unleaded gasoline. These are figures for that catalog entry, not a guarantee of the equipment or condition of a surviving car. Toyota’s June 1996 SS-III catalog entry.
Toyota’s January 1999 entry lists the same 1,998 cc engine and overall dimensions, but output rises to 200 PS (147 kW) at 7,000 rpm and 205.9 N·m at 6,000 rpm. Its listed curb weight is 1,240 kg. Keep these year-specific figures distinct rather than treating 180 PS and 200 PS as simultaneous specifications. Toyota’s January 1999 SS-III catalog entry.
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How it fits into the sixth-generation Celica range
Toyota presents SS-III as the highest grade alongside SS-I and SS-II, with the GT-Four listed separately. The catalog describes SS-I as the high mechanical-twin-cam grade, SS-II as the sporty twin-cam grade and SS-III as the top Celica grade in that lineup. Toyota’s 1996 listing includes both automatic and manual configurations, so the SS-III badge alone does not establish which transmission an individual car has. Check the specific vehicle’s records and equipment.
The GT-Four is a different proposition, not another name for the SS-III. Toyota’s lineage material identifies the ST205 GT-Four with a turbocharged 3S-GTE and full-time four-wheel drive. The SS-III catalog entries instead specify the naturally aspirated 3S-GE and front-wheel drive. Toyota’s sixth-generation Celica lineage record provides broader generation context, including the platform and body styles; it is not an SS-III-specific handling test.
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Why output figures vary by year
The different catalog figures are a useful reminder to identify the model year before quoting an SS-III’s output. Toyota’s lineage page gives 180 PS for a representative ST202 specification, while its dated SS-III entries show 180 PS in June 1996 and 200 PS in January 1999. The dated catalog entries are the relevant sources for those specific cars.
For period context, Toyota’s historical model-change announcement describes a 3S-GE revision with variable induction and stainless-steel exhaust manifolds, rated at 165 PS at 6,800 rpm. That is a development-era specification, not the output figure for the later SS-III entries above. Toyota’s historical Celica model-change announcement.
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Was the SS-III really an Integra Type R rival?
It is a reasonable editorial question, but the available Toyota material does not prove that Toyota developed the SS-III specifically to compete with the Integra Type R. It also supplies no matched comparison of prices, equipment, acceleration, lap times or period road-test results. Calling the Celica a “forgotten rival” works as a prompt for comparison, not as an established historical verdict.
A fair comparison would need to match model years and markets and account for engine output and units, curb weight, drivetrain, transmission, suspension and brakes, original price and availability, plus period tests or competition results. Without that evidence, a precise performance ranking would be speculation.
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What to check when identifying an SS-III
- Chassis and grade: Toyota’s cited SS-III entries identify the car as E-ST202. Confirm the vehicle’s registration and identification details rather than relying on badges.
- Engine and drivetrain: The cited SS-III catalog entries specify a 1,998 cc naturally aspirated 3S-GE and front-wheel drive. A turbocharged, full-time 4WD GT-Four is a distinct grade.
- Year-specific output: Toyota lists 180 PS for June 1996 and 200 PS for January 1999. Verify the year and exact specification before using either figure.
- Transmission and condition: Toyota listed automatic and manual configurations in the relevant 1996 lineup. Confirm the individual car’s transmission and inspect its condition; catalog specifications do not establish that a used example remains original.
The SS-III in Toyota’s own account
Toyota’s institutional lineage page says: “The sixth-generation Celica Liftback adopted a newly designed platform with improved rigidity and reduced weight, further enhancing its sporty driving performance.” This is Toyota’s generation-level description, not a measured comparison with an Integra Type R or a claim about the SS-III alone.
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