Toyota Celica edges closer, may return with petrol power
Development work on a new sports car which may revive the lauded Toyota Celica name is well advanced, according to a senior Toyota executive – and it may pass on electrification and instead offer only internal combustion engine (ICE) power.
The long-rumoured return of the Celica, a two-door sports coupe dropped from the global Toyota lineup after seven generations in 2006, was confirmed by a Toyota executive in Japan in late 2024.
The comment by Toyota executive vice president Yuki Nakajima was perhaps premature given there's been no official word on a born-again Celica since then – neither from Japan nor Australia or the US, which would be a key market for a new sports coupe wearing the well-regarded Celica nameplate.
Of course, it may also have been a pre-emptive strike in response to news that a former Celica showroom rival – the Honda Prelude – would be making a comeback in 2026.
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'To be honest, there is no sign of it right now,' Nakajima-san said in translated comments reported by by Best Car Web in November.
'However, there are many people within the company who are eagerly awaiting the Celica. So – I'm not sure if it's okay to say this in a public forum – but we're doing the Celica!'
Release timing for the new Celica is yet to be confirmed, but dealers in the US have reportedly seen development versions of the vehicle, suggesting it is not far from showrooms and may be publicly revealed later this year – or early 2026.
Speaking to US title Motor Trend recently, Toyota Motor North America's product lead Cooper Ericksen said test mules for a suitable Celica replacement are at 'pretty advanced' stages of development.
'People are talking about it,' Mr Ericksen told Motor Trend.
'Bottom line is we are working on a product that could theoretically go by the Celica name if we can figure out how to pull it off and it gets approved.'
Mr Ericksen suggested the development vehicles shown to dealers and trundling around test tracks include non-hybrid versions, which would be in line with other Toyota GR-branded performance models like the GR Yaris, GR Corolla, GR 86 and GR Supra.
'Akio [Toyoda, Toyota Motor Corporation chairman] has said when it comes to specialised GR performance products, it is very difficult to replicate that emotional driving feel out on track with something other than traditional ICE,' he said.
While not ruling out hybrid or battery-electric versions of the would-be Celica, the Toyota US product boss hinted at a return to pure petrol power in an effort to make it affordable and entertaining to drive.
'I'm not closing the door to a vehicle that is ultra lightweight, that has a super-advanced system but is still a traditional ICE. It could be something that does not have an electric drive,' said Mr Ericksen.
An ICE powertrain could also pave the way for a new Celica equipped with a manual gearbox – something Toyota offers with all four of its existing GR models.
The Celica name has not been confirmed for the test cars Ericksen spoke about (there's also speculation around Toyota reviving the MR2 name), and it's not clear where the new model would fit into Toyota's GR range, which currently comprises the GR 86 ($43,940-$49,600 before on-road costs), GR Yaris ($55,490-$62,990), GR Corolla ($67,990-$70,490) and GR Supra ($86,295-$96,295).
Previous versions of the Celica have typically been based on mid-size sedans – which in Australia included the Corona and, later, the Camry – and the most affordable versions weren't fast enough to be considered serious performance cars.
The flagship Celica GT-Four – which was campaigned in the World Rally Championship – was arguably overshadowed in the 1990s by cult cars such as the Subaru Impreza WRX and Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution.
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A radio for communication with the team is installed at the front of transmission tunnel, and a speaker is placed near the rear air conditioning vents. The seat behind the driver has been removed and replaced by a chilled esky, and the roof lining contains storage nets for snacks and bandages. The car's strong bike focus has been done to celebrate the company's history. Skoda began life as a bicycle manufacturer in 1895 as Lauren & Klement, named after founders Václav Laurin and Václav Klement. Car making began a decade later, and the company was bought by Skoda, an arms manufacturer, in 1925. Both the interior and exterior are finished in red, gold and black trim that's inspired by the original L&K emblem. 3D printed L&K badges are used both inside and out in place of Skoda's fast-disappearing winged arrow logo. 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It is the 10th annual concept designed by the company's academy school students, and honours the company's 130th anniversary. The students transformed from the Superb Combi wagon into a ute by shortening the roof and roof rails, modifying the B- and C-pillars, and reinforcing the body. Naturally, there's a new wall and windscreen behind the rear seats to separate the tray from the cabin. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. There's also a new tailgate that, at the push of a button, slides out via a rack-and-pinion system to extend cargo tray. When extended, the two bikes housed in the tray-mounted rack slide down from 35 degrees to nearly horizontal to make loading and unloading easier. Overall length, at 4901mm, is unchanged from the regular Superb wagon. Another bike can stored on the roof rack, while the right rear door has sprouted an extra door handle as it slides back, like on a people mover, rather swinging outwards on the standard wagon. To keep track of movements of the bike racing team there are tablet displays on the dashboard and ahead of the passenger's seat, and a permanent internet connection. A radio for communication with the team is installed at the front of transmission tunnel, and a speaker is placed near the rear air conditioning vents. The seat behind the driver has been removed and replaced by a chilled esky, and the roof lining contains storage nets for snacks and bandages. The car's strong bike focus has been done to celebrate the company's history. Skoda began life as a bicycle manufacturer in 1895 as Lauren & Klement, named after founders Václav Laurin and Václav Klement. Car making began a decade later, and the company was bought by Skoda, an arms manufacturer, in 1925. 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Buzz electric van and people mover range are expected to choose the more powerful, dual-motor all-wheel drive GTX performance flagship – more than in almost any other market – despite its near-$20,000 price premium at a hefty $109,990 before on-road costs. Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Australia director Nathan Johnson said local demand for the GTX will reflect the popularity of GTI hot hatch versions of the venerable VW Golf in this market. "With GTX, one in five [ID. Buzz sales] is our expectation – so roughly 20 per cent – and that will be one of the highest penetration rates for GTX in any market," he said at the recently launch of the ID. Buzz GTX. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. "We're confident that it'll be quite high. We obviously haven't played in the performance market before at commercial vehicles, but from a Volkswagen perspective, in GTI, we are one of the top markets globally, and always have been in that space, so we always get a lot of attention from the global guys when it comes to performance models." Volkswagen Australia says about 20 per cent of its initial annual allocation of ID. Buzz vehicles is already spoken for, but its sales ambitions are relatively low for what is a relatively niche model, at a minimum of 100 per month – much less than the traditional volume of other VW commercial vans including the small Caddy, mid-size Transporter and large Crafter. First released in Europe in June 2022 and previously due on sale in Australia in 2024, the ID. Buzz was finally launched here in December, initially in short-wheelbase rear-wheel drive Cargo commercial van and both SWB five-seat and LWB seven-seat Pro people mover guises. Initial customer deliveries were held back until April to ensure all vehicles received a software update bringing wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, so to May this year fewer than 100 have now been registered. Volkswagen projects 55-60 per cent of buyers will opt for the Pro people movers, with the remaining 40-45 per cent going for the Cargo van. And of the almost 8000 expressions of interest it has received, most prospective buyers are keen on SWB vehicles and 70 per cent of orders are for people movers with a trademark two-tone paint scheme. The range-topping, long-wheelbase GTX is not only quicker and more powerful than all other ID. Buzz variants, thanks to its dual-motor powertrain that makes it the only all-wheel drive version, but it offers a higher 1600kg braked towing capacity and scores almost every option as standard in a 300mm-longer body with the practicality of seven seats. "The GTX has the benefit of being 4Motion [AWD] as well. This is very much a lifestyle vehicle that leans into some of those specific elements, and whether they go to the snow or the beach or so on, customers in Australia do have a preference for all-wheel drive," said Volkswagen Group Australia acting general manager of corporate communications, Daniel DeGasperi. "The GTX's higher towing capacity of up to 1.6 tonnes also means that while we're not talking about something that tows 3.5 tonnes like our Amarok, people do tow jet skis and small boats and vans." The GTX employs the same 86kWh lithium-ion battery as all other ID. Buzz variants, but adds a front-mounted electric motor to offer not only AWD, but total outputs of 250kW of power and 590Nm of torque. This results in a claimed 0-100km/h acceleration time of 6.4 seconds and 450km of electric range under the WLTP cycle. MORE: Everything Volkswagen ID. Buzz Content originally sourced from: At least 20 per cent of Australian customers for the Volkswagen ID. Buzz electric van and people mover range are expected to choose the more powerful, dual-motor all-wheel drive GTX performance flagship – more than in almost any other market – despite its near-$20,000 price premium at a hefty $109,990 before on-road costs. Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Australia director Nathan Johnson said local demand for the GTX will reflect the popularity of GTI hot hatch versions of the venerable VW Golf in this market. "With GTX, one in five [ID. Buzz sales] is our expectation – so roughly 20 per cent – and that will be one of the highest penetration rates for GTX in any market," he said at the recently launch of the ID. Buzz GTX. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. "We're confident that it'll be quite high. We obviously haven't played in the performance market before at commercial vehicles, but from a Volkswagen perspective, in GTI, we are one of the top markets globally, and always have been in that space, so we always get a lot of attention from the global guys when it comes to performance models." Volkswagen Australia says about 20 per cent of its initial annual allocation of ID. Buzz vehicles is already spoken for, but its sales ambitions are relatively low for what is a relatively niche model, at a minimum of 100 per month – much less than the traditional volume of other VW commercial vans including the small Caddy, mid-size Transporter and large Crafter. First released in Europe in June 2022 and previously due on sale in Australia in 2024, the ID. Buzz was finally launched here in December, initially in short-wheelbase rear-wheel drive Cargo commercial van and both SWB five-seat and LWB seven-seat Pro people mover guises. Initial customer deliveries were held back until April to ensure all vehicles received a software update bringing wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, so to May this year fewer than 100 have now been registered. Volkswagen projects 55-60 per cent of buyers will opt for the Pro people movers, with the remaining 40-45 per cent going for the Cargo van. And of the almost 8000 expressions of interest it has received, most prospective buyers are keen on SWB vehicles and 70 per cent of orders are for people movers with a trademark two-tone paint scheme. The range-topping, long-wheelbase GTX is not only quicker and more powerful than all other ID. Buzz variants, thanks to its dual-motor powertrain that makes it the only all-wheel drive version, but it offers a higher 1600kg braked towing capacity and scores almost every option as standard in a 300mm-longer body with the practicality of seven seats. "The GTX has the benefit of being 4Motion [AWD] as well. This is very much a lifestyle vehicle that leans into some of those specific elements, and whether they go to the snow or the beach or so on, customers in Australia do have a preference for all-wheel drive," said Volkswagen Group Australia acting general manager of corporate communications, Daniel DeGasperi. "The GTX's higher towing capacity of up to 1.6 tonnes also means that while we're not talking about something that tows 3.5 tonnes like our Amarok, people do tow jet skis and small boats and vans." The GTX employs the same 86kWh lithium-ion battery as all other ID. Buzz variants, but adds a front-mounted electric motor to offer not only AWD, but total outputs of 250kW of power and 590Nm of torque. This results in a claimed 0-100km/h acceleration time of 6.4 seconds and 450km of electric range under the WLTP cycle. MORE: Everything Volkswagen ID. Buzz Content originally sourced from: At least 20 per cent of Australian customers for the Volkswagen ID. Buzz electric van and people mover range are expected to choose the more powerful, dual-motor all-wheel drive GTX performance flagship – more than in almost any other market – despite its near-$20,000 price premium at a hefty $109,990 before on-road costs. Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Australia director Nathan Johnson said local demand for the GTX will reflect the popularity of GTI hot hatch versions of the venerable VW Golf in this market. "With GTX, one in five [ID. Buzz sales] is our expectation – so roughly 20 per cent – and that will be one of the highest penetration rates for GTX in any market," he said at the recently launch of the ID. Buzz GTX. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. "We're confident that it'll be quite high. We obviously haven't played in the performance market before at commercial vehicles, but from a Volkswagen perspective, in GTI, we are one of the top markets globally, and always have been in that space, so we always get a lot of attention from the global guys when it comes to performance models." Volkswagen Australia says about 20 per cent of its initial annual allocation of ID. Buzz vehicles is already spoken for, but its sales ambitions are relatively low for what is a relatively niche model, at a minimum of 100 per month – much less than the traditional volume of other VW commercial vans including the small Caddy, mid-size Transporter and large Crafter. First released in Europe in June 2022 and previously due on sale in Australia in 2024, the ID. Buzz was finally launched here in December, initially in short-wheelbase rear-wheel drive Cargo commercial van and both SWB five-seat and LWB seven-seat Pro people mover guises. Initial customer deliveries were held back until April to ensure all vehicles received a software update bringing wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, so to May this year fewer than 100 have now been registered. Volkswagen projects 55-60 per cent of buyers will opt for the Pro people movers, with the remaining 40-45 per cent going for the Cargo van. And of the almost 8000 expressions of interest it has received, most prospective buyers are keen on SWB vehicles and 70 per cent of orders are for people movers with a trademark two-tone paint scheme. The range-topping, long-wheelbase GTX is not only quicker and more powerful than all other ID. Buzz variants, thanks to its dual-motor powertrain that makes it the only all-wheel drive version, but it offers a higher 1600kg braked towing capacity and scores almost every option as standard in a 300mm-longer body with the practicality of seven seats. "The GTX has the benefit of being 4Motion [AWD] as well. This is very much a lifestyle vehicle that leans into some of those specific elements, and whether they go to the snow or the beach or so on, customers in Australia do have a preference for all-wheel drive," said Volkswagen Group Australia acting general manager of corporate communications, Daniel DeGasperi. "The GTX's higher towing capacity of up to 1.6 tonnes also means that while we're not talking about something that tows 3.5 tonnes like our Amarok, people do tow jet skis and small boats and vans." The GTX employs the same 86kWh lithium-ion battery as all other ID. Buzz variants, but adds a front-mounted electric motor to offer not only AWD, but total outputs of 250kW of power and 590Nm of torque. This results in a claimed 0-100km/h acceleration time of 6.4 seconds and 450km of electric range under the WLTP cycle. MORE: Everything Volkswagen ID. Buzz Content originally sourced from:
