Toyota Announces Prices for 2003 Land Cruiser, MR2 Spyder and Celica

TORRANCE, Calif., Aug. 16 -- Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc., announced manufacturer's suggested retail prices (MSRP) today for the Land Cruiser full-size sport utility vehicle (SUV), MR2 Spyder roadster and Celica sport coupe, which arrive at dealer showrooms today. All three vehicles receive minor changes for the 2003 model year.

The 2003 Land Cruiser delivers full-time four-wheel drive via a new five-speed automatic transmission. Output by the Land Cruiser's 4.7-liter V8 has been increased by five horsepower for improved responsiveness. Front styling includes a new chrome-styled grille with a new bumper. The rear bumper now includes a centered cap for the tow hitch installation point. Rear styling is distinguished for 2003 by new badging and clear-lens turn signals.

Inside, Land Cruiser features a new dashboard design with elegant metallic trim surrounding the center cluster. A power tilt and telescopic steering wheel, rear seat audio and steering wheel audio controls are new additions to the lengthy list of standard equipment. A new optional rear DVD entertainment system plays movies over a 6.4-inch wide-format overhead screen that flips down from the headliner above the second-row seats. A newly available option package includes 18-inch wheels with P275/60R18 tires.

New safety enhancements for the Land Cruiser include next-generation SRS airbag sensors and newly available front- and second-row side-impact curtain-shield SRS airbags.

With all these added standard features and newly available options, Land Cruiser's manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) increases only 1.5 percent, or $810, to $53,405.

For 2003, Toyota gave the MR2 Spyder a bolder look in front with a new bumper and fascia, dual-bulb projector-style headlights and integrated standard fog lamps. The side air intakes are revised and now color-keyed. In the rear, the 2003 MR2 Spyder is distinguished by new combination lamps with cylindrical turn signals and reverse lights that mimic the dual-bulb look of the headlights.

The rear grille garnish combines body-color vertical ribs and mesh to emphasize the mid-engine design. The larger oval chrome tailpipe puts a new accent on performance capability, and a new power antenna contributes to the roadster's clean lines.

The MR2 Spyder gets an even sportier interior for 2003. Instrument panel graphics in the gauges and temperature controls have been revised for a more sophisticated appearance. New chrome trim accents the temperature controls as well as the door speakers and air vents. Two available options are tan and black leather-trimmed interior packages that include matching color convertible tops.

An all-new six-speed sequential manual transmission (SMT) is optional, replacing last year's five-speed SMT. A five-speed manual transmission is standard. New standard 16-inch alloy wheels with P215/45R16 tires give the MR2 Spyder even better response and control.

The MSRP for MR2 Spyder increases $835, or 3.5 percent, to $24,570 for the 5-speed manual transmission model. The six speed SMT model is priced at $25,570, an increase of $1,055, or 4.3 percent for the all-new six-speed SMT model.

The Celica has been revised for 2003 with freshened front and rear styling. In front, the 2003 Celica gets a new bumper and fascia with a wider upper air intake. Newly available projector-style HID (high-intensity discharge) headlights complement the car's advanced styling, and redesigned rear lights echo the projector-style look.

Celica's sporty interior also gets a redesigned center dash cluster, a reshaped LCD combination meter with improved legibility and reduced glare, and chrome-trimmed rings around tweeter speakers. A JBL system replaces last year's premium 3-in-1 audio system for the GT-S model. A power antenna is now standard on JBL-equipped models. Solar Yellow and Zephyr Blue Metallic are two new colors added to Celica's exterior color palette.

All these enhancements result in only minor price increases for Celica. For 2003, the MSRP for Celica GT and Celica GT-S increase $220 and $415, respectively. The MSRP for the GT with the five-speed manual is $17,305, up 1.3 percent, and $18,105 for the automatic, up 1.2 percent. The MSRP for the GT-S is $21,970 for the six-speed manual model and $22,670 for the automatic, both an increase of 1.9 percent.