Toyota is bringing back its legendary model, the Celica, which has been absent from its product range for over twenty years. The company is preparing to launch the eighth-generation sports coupe with a four-wheel drive system. The development process of the new car is central to the brand’s sports car strategy. Toyota has not yet officially announced the launch and sales schedule for the car.

Celica Sport and Performance Family

Toyota is developing its new sports car internally under the name Celica Sport. This model is positioned as one of the more accessible options in the brand’s GR performance family.

While work continues on the new mid-engined MR2, the Celica is being prepared as the next model in this trio. The return of the Celica was officially confirmed by Toyota management at the 2024 Rally Japan event.

Then-Toyota Vice President Yuki Nakajima stated at the event that work was ongoing on the Celica. Toyota has not yet shared an official launch date for the new car.

Technical Details and Rally Connection

At the heart of the new model is a new 2.0-liter engine unit developed by Toyota. The 1.6-liter engine used in the current GR Yaris is being replaced by this new unit due to emission standards.

Toyota has not yet made a final decision on whether this engine will be a conventional hybrid or a plug-in hybrid. The compact dimensions of the new engine allow for a lower body design and more space inside the cabin.

Four-wheel drive is among the key features to be used in the new generation Celica. Toyota has confirmed that this system will be included in both the road car and the 2027 WRC car.

There is a direct link between the new Celica and Toyota’s 2027 World Rally Championship program. The test vehicle developed by the company for its new rally car was seen with a design different from the current GR Yaris body.

The WRC27 regulations, which will come into effect in 2027, eliminate the old rule that linked the body of the rally cars to the body of the production road cars. This gives Toyota the opportunity to bring the Celica name back to the WRC scene.

The new generation Corolla is seen as a strong candidate for the road car’s platform. The two-door Celica is preparing to compete in the same class as the Honda Prelude.

Toyota won the 1993 and 1994 World Rally Championships with the Celica. It has not yet been officially announced whether the new WRC car will take to the track under the Celica name.

At the other end of the GR range will be the V8-engined GR GT. The Celica Sport will be a more compact and everyday usable sports car in this product family.

What impact do you think the return of the Toyota Celica will have on the sports car market?

Toyota Celica is returning! The eighth-generation sports coupe is preparing to hit the roads with a four-wheel drive system and a 2.0-liter hybrid engine option.