Toyota hints the comeback of the Celica
Toyota has been teasing the return of the Celica for over four years. The automaker has been dropping hints, whether through its Grip animated series or through trademark filings to protect this iconic name. Some dealerships may have already seen the car behind closed doors, but publicly, it has not been revealed yet.
If a mysterious sports coupe was spotted testing in Portugal at the end of last month, Toyota has never officially confirmed it as the next Celica. A new Autocar report quotes an insider who claims the performance model would be called “Celica Sport”. Furthermore, a spokesperson cited by the British magazine says this new Gazoo Racing-badged vehicle would have all-wheel drive.
Regarding the engine of the “reborn” Celica, all signs point to the new “G20E” engine. This is a 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, with engineers aiming for a power output above 400 hp (around 294 kW). A track-focused version, equipped with a larger turbocharger, could exceed 600 hp (around 441 kW). However, such performance levels are likely to be reserved for a race car that does not have to meet such strict emissions standards.
The Toyota Celica Sport could surpass 400 hp
For a road-legal version, a power output around 400 hp seems more realistic. And indeed, in light of the tightening of regulations, the small 1.6L engines in the GR Yaris and GR Corolla are ironically not suitable candidates. Mikio Hayashi, GR marketing chief, explained to Autocar that the “G16E” does not meet the stricter emissions regulations:
‘The 1.6-litre engine, for instance, cannot meet the emissions regulations. Therefore, we must consider the possibility of a 2.0-litre. Nothing has been decided yet whether it will be a standard hybrid or a plug-in hybrid.’
This suggests that some form of electrification will be employed to reduce CO2 emissions while increasing total power. Of course, this adds complexity and weight, but electrification is becoming increasingly necessary to keep sports cars alive. Relevant examples include the BMW M5 and the new Audi RS5, with other electrified performance models expected to follow suit.
In the meantime, Toyota is testing the new “G20E” engine in a GR Yaris prototype, where the four-cylinder engine is installed behind the seats. However, the eighth-generation Celica is expected to remain front-engined, like all its predecessors. The 2.0L engine is also expected to power a mid-engined sports car that Toyota has already started testing in prototype form, although the production model is not expected for another four to five years.
The automaker has already indicated that this new high-performance engine could be used in a wide range of applications, potentially becoming the backbone of the GR lineup. It can easily be imagined in a future generation of GR86, GR Yaris, GR Corolla, ideally joined by the Celica Sport and a new MR2. Since Toyota seems more open to discussing the Celica openly, it could be the first one to arrive. We may get a preview when a WRC-compliant version makes its debut, possibly in the coming months ahead of the 2027 season.
Rendering of the Toyota GR Celica Sport by Motor1.com
Photo: Theophilus Chin | Motor1
Motorn1’s viewpoint: Toyota seems determined to resurrect the Celica. Now that Gazoo Racing has separated as a full brand, the company wants to expand the range in the coming years. The GR GT supercar with a V8 engine will serve as the flagship, but more accessible models are also planned.
The development of this new engine as part of a hybrid powertrain hints at the possibility of Toyota’s sports cars being marketed in Europe, where strict emissions regulations have nearly done away with mainstream performance models.
