Toyota followers and automotive fans generally rejoice! The Japanese automaker says an all new Celica is coming 18 years after the automotive was killed in 2004. Toyota’s vice chairman confirmed that it’s engaged on a brand new Celica whereas talking at this weekend’s Rally Japan. There have been rumblings concerning the Celica’s return for years, however it appears we’ve lastly bought some concrete information on the matter.
In current weeks, Toyota has dropped hints that it was planning to revive the Celica and MR2 nameplates whereas retaining the GR86 and GR Supra in its lineup, based on Autocar. That’s simply incredible information, isn’t it people? In a current episode of Toyota’s self-published cartoon, known as “Grip,” Autocar says a whiteboard containing an inventory of recent fashions is present that lists out a Supra Mk6, Celica Mk8, MR2 Mk4, GR86 Mk3 and a GR GT3. Who is aware of what these vehicles will find yourself being, however it positive is thrilling nonetheless. Apparently, the whiteboard scene options Grasp Rugu, who trains the present’s protagonist throughout their battle towards autonomous race vehicles. Sick.
Right here’s what Yuki Nakajima, Toyota’s vice chairman, mentioned to the group at Rally Japan, based on Autocar:
“We’re making the Celica!”
He added: “To be trustworthy, there isn’t any signal of it proper now. Nonetheless, there are numerous individuals throughout the firm who’re eagerly awaiting the Celica. So… I’m wondering if it’s okay to say this in a public discussion board, however we’re doing the Celica!”
Chairman Akio Toyoda – who was the primary driving drive behind the creation of GR – apparently mentioned he needed to revive the “three brothers,” i.e. the Celica, MR2 and Supra, based on Autocar. He’s a 3rd of the way in which there proper now, so fingers crossed he can end the job.
Toyota has – for some time now – been debating on simply the right way to convey the Celica again, as Autocar explains:
Toyota has been debating whether or not to press a brand new Celica into manufacturing on a brand new electrical automotive platform that opens up “numerous totally different potentialities”.
Key to this structure is a low seat top, enabling a extra conventional sports activities vehicles expertise. The FT-Se idea revealed finally yr’s Tokyo motor present sits 75mm decrease than the Porsche 718 Cayman. Its design is break up into three modules, with single-piece entrance and rear ends.
This “permits us to be extra excessive”, Shinya Ito, normal supervisor of Lexus Electrified, informed Autocar final yr.
The brand new platform can even be used for a cab-forward two-seat sports activities automotive that channels the spirit of the MR2 and is predicated on the FT-Se idea. Nonetheless, it gained’t essentially revive the MR2 title.
There’s extra attention-grabbing information, too. Throughout Rally Japan, attendees had been allowed to ask questions as nicely. Somebody within the viewers requested the panel what the next-generation GR86 will probably be like – particularly what kind of motor it could have. Right here’s what was mentioned, based on Japanese journal Finest Automotive:
The microphone was handed to driver (and group supervisor) Kazuya Oshima, who’s at present competing within the Tremendous Taikyu Sequence with the GR86 for “ORC ROOKIE Racing,” who replied, “We’re at present engaged on a number of issues (concerning the next-generation GR86 and its engine), primarily on the circuit.”
In response, Chairman Toyoda mentioned, “I don’t actually perceive. This can be a query from Finest Automotive. I feel I ought to ask an government officer,” and handed the microphone again to Govt Vice President Nakajima on stage. After which…
“At this yr’s (2024) Tokyo Auto Salon, I requested Morizo (Chairman Toyoda Akio), ‘Which is your favourite engine, the one you want to depart to the subsequent technology?’ He replied, ‘Subaru’s horizontally opposed engine and Mazda’s rotary engine.’ There have been no Toyota engines!! This impressed all of Toyota’s engine builders. We’ll create an engine that Morizo will need to depart behind. It’s not a matter of whether or not we will launch it or not, or whether or not we are going to depart it behind or not, however we’re going to launch it!’
I do know there isn’t very a lot cash in enthusiast-oriented sports activities vehicles, so it’s very refreshing to see an automaker going out of its strategy to make enjoyable and attention-grabbing vehicles for weirdos like us.
