6 September 2002: Visitors to this year's Paris Motor Show will see an upgraded Toyota Celica with enhanced new qualities in other areas, like safety and perceived quality.

Front discs diameter has increased to 275mm in the Standard version for extra stopping power and more resistance to fade. New High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlamps are now available for Toyota Celica T Sport (and optional with the 1.8 VVT-i engine). The high beams are of the Halogen Infrared Reflection type.

An additional safety and convenience feature is the auto-levelling system which automatically adjusts the headlamp alignment according to the weight of luggage or passengers.

Celica T Sport also has VSC (Vehicle Stability Control), TRC (Traction Control) and BA (Brake Assist) as standard equipment (available as options in the base grade).

Modifications to both front and rear shock absorbers result in a more flat, comfortable ride, achieving better traction at the same time. Changes made to the steering achieve a more responsive feel and small aerodynamic modifications result in superior high-speed stability by reducing rear tyre lift.

The Toyota Celica's exterior design has undergone a facelift also: the cut-away of the lower grille is wider, so the vertical bars widen more emphatically as they descend. At the same time the openings around the integrated fog lamps have a sharper shape.The Toyota emblem on the bonnet has been increased in size.