Toyota Celica.
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Toyota recently patented the name “Celica GR” a few weeks ago. Which is good news and bad news? The good news is obviously a return of the good old Celica. But
GR” also means something like 400HP from the all-new 2.0 Engine and especially, something very expensive. Which is the subject of a new Celica rumor. That it will have AWD and 400HP. I’m sorry, but that is NOT a Celica. Especially when the current Supra GR produces 382 HP.
More good news is from Toyota’s own Executive Vice President, Hiroki Nakajima: “To be honest, there’s nothing tangible at the moment. However, there’s strong demand within the company for the Celica. So, is it okay to say this publicly? We’re doing the Celica!”
Mr.Toyoda himself mentioned a new Celica in 2023. And more recently, there was a clue in a part of a Toyota-produced anime film called “Grip”.
Toyota is also rumored to work on a 3rd generation GR86.
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.
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.
A new Celica needs to compete against the upcoming Honda Prelude. Not the Corvette. The 2026 Prelude will be a hybrid with over 200 HP. Which is plenty for some affordable fun. (If only it looked a bit better…)
I’ve owned both a 1978 celica, and the 1986 corolla sr5. Both small front engine coupe with RWD. BOTH great fun cars. Both affordable and reliable. But they are almost one in the same! SO with toyota having the 86, why is there a need for another small, affordable rwd coupe, the celica? Maybe make it the, what was it called, gt4? Gr86 starts at $25k? Celica… awd, 278 hp, at $30km
Bring it back !!!
I owned 1991 celica GTS . By far the most fun car I had.