2028 Toyota Celica comeback rumors grow after new Rally prototype appears.

I’m not fully convinced yet, but it’s getting harder to ignore the possibility that the Toyota Celica could be making a comeback within the next year or so. That said, what we’re seeing right now might not be related at all.

The images circulating online a while ago did show a new Toyota race car prototype undergoing testing for the World Rally Championship. Normally, Toyota competes in WRC with a GR Yaris-based car, but this prototype looks completely different. And clearly, this isn’t a Toyota GR Yaris. Unless Toyota plans to turn the next Yaris into a two-door coupe. Which seems highly unlikely, we’re looking at something else entirely.

That raises an obvious question: what two-door model could Toyota be working on?

The most obvious answer is the Celica. But if this prototype is connected to a revival, the production version could of course look different. The illustration on top shows what a production model could look like. What we’re seeing now feels unusually conservative, maybe even dated. Nothing about it really signals a modern 2028 sports coupe.

There’s also a bigger concern. Toyota could use the Celica name for something far more expensive and extreme than it’s ever been. Traditionally, the Celica was attainable, stylish, and fun. Not a high-dollar, ultra-performance machine. It was a car younger enthusiasts could actually aspire to own.

Now, there are rumors of a new 2.0-liter turbocharged engine pushing close to 400 horsepower. That’s an impressive figure and borderline supercar territory for a four-cylinder. But is that really what a Celica should be?

If buyers are already questioning the price of the upcoming Honda Prelude, a high-performance Celica with similar or higher pricing could face the same criticism. Especially if it adds all-wheel drive and premium hardware into the mix.

At the same time, Toyota’s Gazoo Racing division has been delivering. Cars like the Toyota GR Corolla, Toyota GR86, and Toyota Supra prove the brand understands enthusiast appeal again. That alone is reason to stay cautiously optimistic.

Still, the Celica name carries real weight. It represents a specific kind of driving experience, accessible performance with personality. If Toyota brings it back, it needs to balance heritage with modern expectations.

For now, all we can do is watch, speculate, and hope they get it right. Because if they do, this could be one of the most exciting sports car returns in years.

If not, it risks becoming another iconic name used in the wrong way. After all, we live in a world with a 4 door electric Mustang. A $42,000 Hybrid Honda Prelude. And an upcoming 4 door Chevrolet Camaro.