by Toyota Revives the Celica: What is Known About the New Model
After years of rumors, Toyota is finally preparing the return of the legendary Celica. The company has already registered the corresponding trademarks, and while the development of the eighth generation is underway, new interesting details and rumors are emerging from Japan.
Design Debate
Official technical specifications have not been released yet, which leaves room for speculation. The most likely option is considered to be a turbocharged 2.0-liter G20E engine, which in its base version produces 400 hp. Japanese sources report that the model may move away from the traditional front-engine layout in favor of a mid-engine configuration.
If true, this blurs the lines between the Celica and the also anticipated revival of the MR2
During a presentation in Tokyo, Toyota representatives hinted that the new engine could be installed in both front-wheel-drive and mid-engine models. Regardless of this, the GR Celica is expected to receive the GR-Four all-wheel-drive system, continuing the rally traditions of previous GT-Four versions.
Release Prospects
No prototypes have appeared in public yet, but Toyota representatives have confirmed that development is in its final stages. Some experts suggest the model could debut by 2027. There are also rumors about the possible participation of the new Celica in the World Rally-Raid championship, where its predecessors achieved significant success in the 1990s.
The return of the Celica will be an important step for Toyota, which has been actively developing its line of sports models under the GR brand in recent years. The new model is set to occupy its niche between the GR 86 and the GR Supra, offering a unique character and technologies inherited from rally racing. Particular interest is sparked by the possibility of a manual transmission – a rare occurrence in modern sports cars.
