by Excitement is running high in the world of rally racing and among Toyota fans. The company is testing a new prototype for the 2027 World Rally Championship in Portugal. Although it is not a production model, it could become the successor to the legendary Celica name. The team’s technical director, Tom Fowler, confirmed that testing is already underway.
Prototype Appearance and First Impressions
Toyota enthusiasts are eagerly awaiting the new GR Celica, and the sight of the camouflaged WRC prototype has fueled speculation to the limit. This coupe, expected to replace the GR Yaris Rally1 in the 2027 season, was spotted during testing in Portugal. Its compact two-door shape is already sparking rumors of a return for this legendary nameplate.
The first photos and videos of the future GR rally car were captured by rally enthusiast Márcio Pereira and published by DirtFish. The photographer claims the new model sounded just like the GR Yaris Rally2, hinting at the use of the same turbocharged 1.6-liter three-cylinder engine.
Design and Features of the New Racer
The exterior is fully wrapped in traditional Gazoo Racing camouflage. However, the proportions clearly indicate that this car is not based on any existing Toyota production model. Despite its compact dimensions and short wheelbase, it has a distinct three-box silhouette with wide fender flares.
At the front, horizontally positioned headlights, a narrow grille, a hood with ventilation holes, and a large air intake integrated into the bumper are visible. Other details include a roof scoop, pronounced rear wheel arches, and an aerodynamic rear end with a square spoiler.
Toyota looks set to switch from the GR Yaris to a two-door coupé body shape for its WRC 2027 car.
A New Shape for New Regulations
While many hoped this was the first glimpse of the future GR Celica, the reality is more nuanced. The FIA regulations for 2027 WRC cars do not require them to be based on production models. Instead, they are essentially bodies mounted on a spaceframe chassis. Toyota designers may incorporate subtle hints inspired by the Celica, but an exact visual match to a road version seems unlikely.
According to the FIA, the power of the turbocharged 1.6-liter engine will be limited to approximately 290 hp, with all-wheel drive delivered through a standardized five-speed gearbox. Steering and braking hardware will also be borrowed from the existing Rally2 arsenal to control costs and complexity.
The Road-Going Celica: A Different Path
The road-going version of the Celica, however, is expected to take a different route. It is anticipated to use Toyota’s new turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired with the advanced GR-Four all-wheel-drive system. Reports from Japan have even floated the idea of a mid-engine layout, although Toyota has not confirmed anything of the sort.
Toyota WRC27? Video by Márcio Pereira
Words from the Technical Director
Toyota Gazoo Racing’s technical director, Tom Fowler, did not reveal the rally car’s name but confirmed that development is already actively underway, with over 2000 km of testing completed. In a comment for DirtFish, Fowler stated:
At the moment, we are already testing our prototype. The design team is focused on all the feedback coming from this car and is working on solving issues and making improvements. The initial goal was to start testing the car in 2026. We have achieved that goal. The car has already undergone several tests and has definitely covered over 2000 kilometers. I cannot give an exact figure.
Toyota is expected to share further details about its 2027 WRC contender as development progresses in the coming months.
First images of the Toyota WRC27 during testing in Portugal. Photo: Marcio Pereira
Toyota’s History in the World Rally Championship
The GR Yaris Rally1 has been competing in the WRC since 2022, securing four manufacturers’ titles and three drivers’ titles, along with 38 wins in 55 races to date. It replaced the previous generation Yaris WRC (2017-2021), which won two manufacturers’ titles and three drivers’ titles with 26 wins in 58 races.
Long before the Yaris era, Toyota debuted in the WRC with the Celica GT-Four in ST165, ST185, and ST205 guises between 1989 and 1996, and then with the Corolla hatchback between 1997 and 1999. Throughout the 1990s, the company won three manufacturers’ titles and four drivers’ titles.
Overall, Toyota has secured nine manufacturers’ titles and ten drivers’ titles, making it one of the most decorated brands in WRC history and the most successful Japanese brand in the championship.
The development of the new prototype for the 2027 season opens a new exciting chapter in Toyota’s rich rally history. The shift to a coupe and the potential return of the Celica name, even as inspiration for the rally-spec car, is a powerful symbolic step. It blends the brand’s heritage with future innovation. The success of models like the GR Yaris has shown that Toyota is serious about high-performance and rally cars. Testing the prototype two years before the start of the new regulations demonstrates deep planning and a desire to remain at the top. The new format of WRC cars, with their standardized components and focus on cost, could foster tighter competition, and Toyota appears to be preparing for it well in advance. The success of this program could also influence road cars, strengthening the link between racing and production, which has always been key to the brand’s appeal for enthusiasts.
