Toyota Announces Pricing of All-New RAV4 Soft Top and 1998 Celica and Tercel
12 January 1998
Toyota Announces Pricing of All-New RAV4 Soft Top and 1998 Celica and Tercel
TORRANCE, Calif., Jan. 12 -- Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. (TMS),
Inc., today announced the Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price's (MSRP) of
the all-new 1998 Toyota RAV4 Soft Top, Celica and Tercel models.
Prices for the RAV4 Soft Top will range from $15,388 for front-wheel drive
models with a five-speed manual transmission (5M) to $17,848 for four-wheel-
drive models with a four-speed electronically controlled transmission (4ECT).
Based on the two-door RAV4 and featuring a combination front hard top/rear
convertible soft top, the RAV4 Soft Top will reach Toyota dealerships in
February, 1998.
Structural braces in the rocker panels and rear fenders give the RAV4 Soft
Top extra support and rigidity. The factory-installed top is designed
specifically for this application and provides an airtight, weatherproof seal
from the elements.
Toyota engineers placed special importance in designing a top that would
not only protect from inclement weather but also from noise. The top acts as
a dynamic shield to reduce large amounts of noise, vibration and harshness,
giving the RAV4 a quieter cabin than any other soft top vehicle in its class.
RAV4 Soft Top standard equipment includes a pop-up sunroof, front fabric
bucket seats, rear fabric reclining split bench seats, full cut-pile carpeting
with driver's side footrest, full door trim with a cloth insert, dual door
pockets and intermittent front wipers. Optional equipment includes air
conditioning, deluxe audio system, tilt wheel and cruise control.
For 1998, Celica will be available only in the GT model grade. The all-
new Celica GT Sport Coupe replaces the ST model. All Celica's will be powered
by a 2.2-liter twin-cam 16-valve four-cylinder engine and offered in five-
speed manual overdrive and four-speed electronically controlled transmissions.
The MSRP of the 1998 Celica GT models will range from $20,111 for the all-
new GT Sport Coupe with 5M to $20,536 for the Liftback with four-speed
electronically controlled automatic transmissions (4ECT) and $25,350 for the
Convertible with 4ECT. The Celica Convertible has decreased 3.6 percent over
last year's similarly equipped model, or $962. On average, the new Celica
pricing represents a 2.1 percent decrease in MSRP over last year's models, or
$487.
New Celica features for 1998 include standard 15-inch wheels, three-spoke
steering wheel and upgraded fabric seats for Liftback and Sport Coupe.
Celica standard equipment will include air conditioning, power windows and
door locks, driver and passenger front Supplemental Restraint System (SRS)
airbags, tilt wheel, split-folding rear seat with a security lock, dual vanity
mirrors, digital clock, rear-window defogger, variable intermittent wipers,
auto-off headlights, color-keyed breakaway power outer mirrors, carpeted floor
mats, tinted glass and aerodynamic low and high beam halogen headlights.
Additional standard features available on selected Celica models include
rear spoiler, rear window wiper, cruise control, alloy wheels, fog lamps,
contoured rocker panels, premium audio system and power antenna.
For 1998, Tercel will be offered only in a CE grade two-door body style.
The Tercel receives several new features for 1998 including a redesign of
the grille and front fascia, tail lamps and bumper and body-side moldings.
Other new features include rear seat head rests, front seat belt pretentioners
and force limiters and new audio systems.
Tercel standard equipment includes air conditioning, power steering,
Deluxe AM/FM/Cassette with four speakers, intermittent wipers and carpeted
floor mats.
The 1998 Tercel MSRP will range from $12,690 for models with a 5M to
$13,190 for models with a three-speed automatic transmission. On average, the
new Tercel pricing represents a 2.2 percent increase in MSRP over last year's
CE model, or $281.
SOURCE Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.
