It is arguable that the current Toyota Celica is one of the most beautiful sports coupes currently on our road. Certainly, it is for my money, the best-looking Toyota currently available.

However, it is also arguable that the 140bhp of the basic car’s engine isn’t enough to give a driving experience that lives up to the looks. Not that the 1.8-litre VVT-i unit is any slouch - a 0-60 of 8.7secs is highly respectable - but somehow supercar looks require a supercar performance.

The Celica T-Sport sorts that, with another 49bhp and some six per cent extra torque. The car gets an edge, reflected in a new 7.4sec for the sprint.

Now, instead of strutting its style, it more or less streaks it. As befits something that looks more like a Ferrari almost than a Ferrari does itself, especially in the red of the review car.

That look is long, sleek and sporty, accentuated by lots of angles and curves and enormous four-lamp triangular headlights that seem to extend forever up the bonnet. There is a visually interesting little bulge for the primary lights in the overall cover glass, and the air intake at the rear end of the bonnet adds extra impact. A sculpted waistline visually supports the cabin area in a carefully curving line carried strongly from the side mirror to the rear lights. Then a steeply sloping rear roof adds to both the aerodynamics and good looks of the car.

Rear combination lights are very three-dimensional and the high stop light is mounted at the roofline.

Inside, though the car is a four-seater, there would be problems for any tallish adults taking a long trip as a back passenger. The steep slope of that rear glasshouse has to compromise comfort there.

However, the same car is quite successful in an unlikely area - I needed to collect the makings of a new floor for my son’s studio (formerly bedroom) from Woodies, and, hey, as the picture shows, it took it all withhout a problem.

The interior trim is high quality, and put together with the care that we expect as standard from Toyota. I’ve previously commended the seat comfort and fit in the Celica, and in the latest version they are at least up to the level I remember from before.

Controls in the cocoon-like dashboard arrangement are easy to find and use, particularly the climate control area. There’s a longish clutch action, and the 6-speed gearshift on the central console is high to the hand, which works well ergonomically after one gets used to the positioning. The centre stack area has a touch of the good stylist’s hand in its shape, and aluminised finish. All very agreeable.

There’s good visibility frontwise, but the whole shape and the size of the integrated headrests leaves rearward looking to the side mirrors, which are quite big and allow you place the vehicle accurately enough when reversing into a tight space.

What the heck, Celica is about going forward, and this is what it does very well, as indicated at the top of this piece. I expected that ride comfort might be compromised for a sportier suspension setup, but this was not the case. Overall, there’s a nice balance of ride and handling requirements, and a couple of spins down through west Wicklow proved quite enjoyable despite a persistent drizzle.

Against the E37,530 for the ‘ordinary’ Celica, you’ll have to fork out E41,995 for this version. There’s not a lot outside to show for the difference. But if you enjoy a little more spirit in your driving machine, perhaps you should consider it.