AllTrac

AllTrac is a marketing designation used by Toyota to denote its all-wheel-drive configurations and certain models equipped with AWD during the late 1980s and 1990s. The term is most closely associated with the Celica All-Trac line, an AWD version of the Toyota Celica sold in several markets from the mid-to-late 1980s into the early 1990s.

Technical overview: AllTrac variants employed a center differential to split power between the front and rear axles, with some models using a viscous coupling and others employing electronically controlled clutch packs or gear-type differentials to vary torque distribution in response to driving conditions. These systems were designed to improve traction in rain, snow, or uneven surfaces, and they complemented Toyota's existing four-wheel-drive strategies on truck and SUV models.

Model history: The Celica All-Trac began with the ST165 generation (introduced around 1986), followed by the ST185 generation in the early 1990s. While the All-Trac badge was most prominent on Celica variants, Toyota used the AWD concept across several other models in certain markets, sometimes with distinct branding. Over the late 1990s and into the 2000s, Toyota’s AWD marketing shifted away from the AllTrac name, with AWD being integrated into broader product lines rather than as a separate badge.

Legacy: AllTrac-equipped Celicas are noted for providing improved year-round traction relative to two-wheel-drive versions, at the cost of reduced cargo space and weight. The term AllTrac is sometimes used by enthusiasts and collectors to identify specific AWD Celica models and their drivetrain configurations.

See also: All-wheel drive, Toyota Celica, Toyota AWD systems.