2027 Toyota Celica.

We’ve all heard it before: ” Toyota is working on a new Celica”. And maybe even a new MR-2. And it will probably end up being a pretty sporty and pricey new coupe.

But how about something not that sporty? And not that pricey. Something that would truly be a modern version of the last few Celica generations, like the illustration above. The current rumor even mentions a GR version of the next Celica. And that, my friends, will mean pricey. “GR” also means something like 400HP from the all-new 2.0 Engine. Which would be more than the current Toyota Supra.

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 is a hybrid with over 200 HP. However, its base price is now expected by many to be at least $40,000. The Toyota GR 86 is much more affordable at around $30,400. That leaves a tough spot for the next Celica. Which will probably sit above the GR86…