Next-generation Toyota Celica.
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It’s been about 19 years since we saw a new Celica at a Toyota dealership. And yet, there have been many rumors over the years about a new generation coming up. Which might happen sooner than later…
(The illustration above shows what an 8th-generation Toyota Celica could look like).
Just a few days ago in Japan. Toyota’s Executive Vice President has reportedly said Toyota will make a new Celica. Mr.Toyoda himself mentioned a new Celica in 2023. And more recently there was a clue in as part of a Toyota-produced anime film called “Grip”.
Toyota is also rumored to work on a 3rd generation GR86 and even a new-generation MR-2.
For decades, the Celica was a very popular model for Toyota in the US, reaching over 106,000 units in 1986. However, things seriously dropped in the 1990s with only around 29 000 sold in 1993. It went back up when a new generation came out, with over 52,000 sold in 2000. But finally dropped all the way down to around 3000 units 5 years later after Toyota announced they would kill the Celica.
The 2-door coupe market has not improved since 2005 and I’m not sure why Toyota would spend a huge load of cash on yet another 2-door coupe since they already offer 2 models in the US. The GR86, which sold only around 11,000 units in the US in 2023. And the BMW-based Toyota Supra with 2652 units sold last year.
It would seem to anyone that introducing a third-door coupe model wouldn’t be such a great idea. And even a 4th with a new generation MR-2.
However, Honda did decide to spend money on an all-new Honda Prelude. By designing a new 2-door coupe based on the Honda Civic Hybrid.
Let’s hope a new Celica if it ever comes out, keeps true to the original recipe of a good-looking and affordable 4-seater car. “Affordable” would be the key here.
Honda seems to be on the right track with the new Prelude, already mentioned this won’t be a sports car. Which is what the Prelude used to be. And Mazda just mentioned they will produce a version of the stunning SP Sport Coupe concept we saw a few months ago.
I don’t think 2 door coupes are coming back any time soon, but it’s always fun to see someone trying…