Latest news with #Celica
Forbes
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Forbes
More Juicy Details Surface On Toyota's Star Celica Sports Car Revival
The GR Yaris M Concept Photo by Toyota Earlier this year, I reported on a radical new Toyota concept that debuted at the Tokyo Auto Salon. Called the GR Yaris M Concept, it hinted strongly at the powertrain for the next-generation Celica and boasted a gutsy 400-hp 2.0-liter turbo mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox. But as some new information on the coupe has come to light, as exposed in the latest issue of Japan's Best Car magazine, I thought it high time we updated news on the return of this major Toyota sports car. And that news specifically refers to special lightweight body parts, an 8-speed automatic option, two specific grades and a new launch date. The mid-engined M Concept hints at next-gen Celica Photo by Toyota But before we get onto the new data we've sourced, let's go over what we know. Strongly backed by both Toyota chairman Akio Toyoda and CEO Koji Sato, the new Celica will be powered by a next-generation turbocharged inline 4-cylinder 2.0-liter engine pumping out 400-hp and 550Nm of torque. So just to be sure, the new Celica will not employ any hybrid technology whatsoever, but will simply incorporate the GR Yaris M Concept's mid-engined gasoline turbo powerplant and feature a 4WD drivetrain. Toyota has even let on that this concept will compete in race form in Japan's Super Endurance Series starting with the race at Autopolis circuit on July 26-27, as the brand's engineers tweak the powertrain and chassis to maximize feedback for the new Celica. The new Celica will be Toyota's first mid-engined sports car since the MR-S was axed back in mid-2007. We can expect to see the coupe developed at Toyota's Shimoyama proving ground in central Japan, in addition to the 13-mile long Nurburgring in Germany. But of course, the Celica is well-known as a successful rally car, having won three driver championships in the early 1990s. But the all-new Celica will switch from rally to race track as it employs a new personality. According to Best Car, the new information this time round includes a new roof and hood made of carbon fiber, which significantly reduces curb weight while increasing rigidity. This means that this coupe will employ a double rear deck carbon fiber layout, one for the mid-engined hood and one for the trunk. Also to improve all-round visibility, one other update includes a surprisingly upright A-pillar and rounded glass at both sides of the windshield to allow drivers to see as far around the next upcoming bend as possible, which is a must for any good sports car. Expected to be launched in two specs—the RZ and the (race spec) 'RC', the Celica—as mentioned above—was originally expected to just offer a 6-speed manual transmission. But after a rethink, and to make the car more palatable to a wider range of motorists, Toyota will also offer an 8-speed automatic. One other new snippet of information is that Toyota is now telling us that the new Celica's debut will be delayed. The expected launch has been pushed back from spring 2027 to spring 2028, but the prototype is strongly rumored to appear at the 2027 Tokyo Auto Salon in January.
The Advertiser
06-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Advertiser
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. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. "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 Trendrecently, 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. A variant of the Celica called the Supra was introduced in the US in 1977, which became a model in its own right in 1986. Content originally sourced from: 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. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. "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 Trendrecently, 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. A variant of the Celica called the Supra was introduced in the US in 1977, which became a model in its own right in 1986. Content originally sourced from: 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. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. "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 Trendrecently, 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. A variant of the Celica called the Supra was introduced in the US in 1977, which became a model in its own right in 1986. Content originally sourced from: 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. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. "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 Trendrecently, 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. A variant of the Celica called the Supra was introduced in the US in 1977, which became a model in its own right in 1986. Content originally sourced from:
7NEWS
05-06-2025
- Automotive
- 7NEWS
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. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. '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.
Perth Now
05-06-2025
- Automotive
- Perth Now
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. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Supplied Credit: CarExpert '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. Supplied Credit: CarExpert '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. Supplied Credit: CarExpert 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. A variant of the Celica called the Supra was introduced in the US in 1977, which became a model in its own right in 1986.
West Australian
05-06-2025
- Automotive
- West Australian
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. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now . '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. A variant of the Celica called the Supra was introduced in the US in 1977, which became a model in its own right in 1986.
