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NEWS

Toyota confirms Celica development project is underway!

We must thank Toyota for continuing to produce a lineup of high-performance car models in the modern era for the enjoyment of its fans.

After years of rumors circulating, Toyota has finally confirmed that the iconic Celica nameplate will be making a comeback.

The announcement was made by Toyota’s Executive Vice President, Yuki Nakajima, in conjunction with the recent hosting of Rally Japan.

“Honestly, there are no signs (of the Celica) at this time. However, there are many people within the company who are eagerly awaiting the return of the Celica.

“So, I wonder if I can say this in a public forum, but we are developing the Celica!”

This latest development comes just weeks after Toyota hinted at new sports cars, including the Celica, GR GT3, and MR2, in the animated series GRIP, as well as updates to the existing lineup (GR86, GR Supra).

Interestingly, at the 2024 SEMA show, Toyota also seized the opportunity to showcase a concept car named the GR86 Rally Legacy Concept, inspired by the 1990s Celica GT-Four.

In addition to a Castrol-style livery, the GR86 is equipped with a GR Yaris engine producing 300 hp and 370 Nm of torque, paired with a GR-Four all-wheel-drive system to embody the Celica theme being brought back.

Are you excited about the return of the Celica name?

NEWS

Toyota will revive the legendary Celica name – 2.0L turbo, 400hp, GR-Four AWD

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EVEN with the existing lineup of sports car models (GR Supra, GR Yaris, GR Corolla & GR86), Toyota Gazoo Racing plans to revive some iconic names that once dominated the world. These include the Toyota MR2/MRS and Toyota Starlet.

The latest report from Japan reveals that Toyota intends to resurrect the Celica name as one of the high-performance models under the Gazoo Racing brand.

Unlike the rumors circulating last year, Toyota aims to take a more traditional approach, with the Celica re-emerging as a GR model paired with a 2.0L inline-four-cylinder engine producing 400 hp.

The Japanese publication also disclosed that the development of the high-performance engine had actually begun several years ago and would be fully ready before it is announced by Akio Toyoda at the 2024 Tokyo Auto Salon.

With the combination of the AWD GR-Four drive system, it is a fitting step to revive the spirit of the Celica GT-Four while simultaneously paying homage to the success of previous Celica models in rallying.

Best Car Web predicts that the new Celica model will be revealed as early as January next year at the 2025 Tokyo Auto Salon. In addition to the Celica, Toyota is reportedly developing a hot hatch version of the Starlet designed as a rally-focused vehicle in the Rally4 WRC class.

Unlike the more comprehensive and powerful GR Yaris, this ‘GR Starlet’ will utilize a smaller-displacement (1.3-liter) turbocharged inline-three-cylinder engine and a more compact front-wheel-drive system.

The same platform will also be used by Toyota for another entry-level rear-wheel-drive sports car model, the S-FR, which is said to be capable of generating up to 150 PS and 220 Nm of torque.