Toyota is planning to fully redesign its Celica sports car, releasing the eighth-generation GR Celica in 2026. If this happens, it will be the first time the car has been reborn in 20 years, since sales ended in 2006. The return of this sports car, eagerly awaited by many fans, will be a model that symbolizes Toyota’s technological prowess and passion. We’ll provide a detailed explanation of the new GR Celica, based on the latest information.
Toyota exhibited at the JAPAN MOBILITY SHOW 2023, which will be held mainly at Tokyo Big Sight, and unveiled the sports-type battery EV concept model “FT-3e” for the first time in the world on October 25, 2023. Rumor has it that the “FT-3e” will be the next “Celica.” And since the car looks amazing even now, there are high hopes that it will be released commercially.
Background to the revival
- Toyota’s Celica is set to be revived as the GR Celica.
- This is the first time it has been revived in about 20 years since production ended in 2006.
- It will be released by Toyota’s sports brand, GR.
Design (exterior)
- Adopting Toyota’s latest design language, it has a sophisticated feel.
- Low front hood, voluminous wheel arches, and a carbon roof.
- Possibility of incorporating design elements from the “FT-Se Concept.”
Design (interior)
- Driver-oriented design.
- 12.3-inch digital meter, short-stroke shift lever, manual parking brake.
- Equipped with the latest infotainment system.
- Possibility of incorporating advanced designs like the “FT-Se Concept”
Powertrain
- Equipped with a newly developed 2.0L inline 4-cylinder gasoline turbo engine.
- Maximum output: 400ps, maximum torque: 56.1kgm.
- Adopts the electronically controlled 4WD system “GR-FOUR”.
- Compliant with European exhaust gas regulations “Euro 7”.
safety equipment
- The latest preventive safety package, Toyota Safety Sense, is standard equipment.
- Pre-crash safety, lane tracing assist, radar cruise control, etc.
- It also comes equipped with blind spot monitors and rear cross traffic alert.
Price and Availability
- The price is expected to start from around 6.5 million yen.
- It is scheduled for release around 2026.
others
- Toyota Chairman Toyoda wants to revive the Celica name.
- Four-time WRC champion Juha Kankkunen has said that this means “Celica,” so it seems likely that the Celica will be revived.
The background and significance of the GR Celica’s revival
The Toyota Celica is a specialty car known for its high driving performance and sophisticated design, produced over seven generations from 1970 to 2006. It also played an important role in the history of motorsports, including its success in the WRC (World Rally Championship). The new GR Celica, bearing the same name, is a part of Toyota’s sports brand “GR,” and is reborn in the modern era, incorporating the latest technology and passion.
The revival of the GR Celica is not simply a revival of a classic car from the past. In an automotive industry where electrification is on the rise, Toyota is pursuing the unique appeal of engine-powered vehicles and is seeking to create new value in sports cars through the GR Celica.
Will the “FT-Se Concept” become Toyota’s new GR Celica?
The “FT-Se” is a concept car for a compact two-door sports car BEV from the “GR” brand. The exterior certainly has some “Celica”-like elements. It is expected to be equipped with a new gasoline engine, while retaining the body’s distinctive features.
With the revival of the Celica, the current GR series, which includes the GR Yaris , GR Corolla , GR86 , and GR Supra , will be joined by the new GR Celica. Considering Toyota’s sales performance to date, it is not at all unnatural that the Celica, which was sold until 2006 as a specialty car that combined high driving performance and comfort, would be revived as the GR Celica!
Toyota’s new GR Celica full model change exterior
The exterior design of the new GR Celica incorporates Toyota’s latest design language, emphasizing a sophisticated and high-quality feel. The front section features a distinctive low-slung hood, creating a sporty and aggressive impression. The wheel arches are powerful, with a design that accentuates the large-diameter wheels. The adoption of a carbon fiber roof also lowers the vehicle’s center of gravity, contributing to improved driving performance.
Toyota unveiled the FT-Se Concept, a sports-type BEV concept model, at the JAPAN MOBILITY SHOW 2023. Some believe this model hints at the design direction of the next-generation GR Celica. The FT-Se Concept features cutting-edge design elements, such as wide and low proportions, sharp lines, and distinctive LED lights, and it’s possible that these elements will also be incorporated into the GR Celica.
About the Toyota “FT-Se Concept” exterior
Toyota’s next-generation BEV concept model, the FT-3e, is a truly outstanding design. Toyota did not take clear design inspiration from sports cars such as the current Supra or GR 86, but instead evolved the design of the GR Sports Concept (SPORTS EV) announced in 2021.
The front end features a blacked-out grille and large air intakes, accented by eye-catching LED daytime running lights. The wide and low proportions, combined with a one-form silhouette, reduce air resistance. The pointed nose, sharp angles of the front quarter panels, and the cabin shape create a sports car-like feel. Red brake calipers, intricate wheels, dramatic rocker panels, flush door handles, and small wing mirrors are just a few of the elements that further enhance the sporty ambiance.
According to Toyota, the GR brand concept’s “cutting-edge silhouette” was conceived to reduce aerodynamic drag, thanks to molded rear quarter panels that transition cleanly into small fins dominated by thin LED taillights. The rear includes a ducktail spoiler and dramatic diffuser that’s different from the Supra’s. Toyota also showed off a version of the car, the “FT-3e,” on the race circuit, with a fixed rear wing attached to the rear window.
Toyota’s new GR Celica full model change interior
The GR Celica’s interior is designed to be both functional and comfortable, allowing the driver to concentrate on driving. The 12.3-inch full digital meter offers excellent visibility, allowing drivers to instantly grasp all the necessary information. The car also features a short-stroke shift lever and a manual parking brake designed for drifting.
The car will also be equipped with the latest infotainment system, which will support cloud connectivity and voice control. Smartphone connectivity will also be strengthened, and connected features will be enhanced.
The interior of the FT-Se Concept features a more advanced design, packed with sporty and innovative elements such as a yoke steering wheel, a vertically long dual display, and carbon fiber bucket seats. It will be interesting to see how these elements are incorporated into the GR Celica.
About the Toyota “FT-Se Concept” interior
The FT-3e’s interior features a driver-centric cockpit, notably featuring dual portrait displays on either side of the yoke steering wheel, displaying important vehicle information and infotainment functions.
The car is also equipped with Recaro bucket seats with digital meters and carbon fiber backrests, clad in beautiful blue Alcantara. The door panels, lower dashboard, and center console also feature an intricate blue weave. The next-generation cockpit allows for intuitive operation and enhances the sense of immersion while driving. The lower position of the upper instrument panel improves visibility. Newly designed knee pads are used to protect the body from G-forces (gravitational acceleration) during driving. While sharing components with the FT-3e, this high-performance sports BEV model further pursues handling stability and aerodynamic performance. The car aims to grow with the driver through software updates.
Toyota’s new GR Celica full model change specs
The car is powered by a new-generation 2.0L inline-four gasoline turbo engine, unveiled at Toyota’s Multi-Pathway Workshop on May 28, 2024. It delivers a maximum output of 395 hp (294 kW / 400 PS) and a maximum torque of 550 Nm (406 lb-ft) / 56.1 kgm. The drivetrain is equipped with the GR-FOUR electronically controlled 4WD system, also found in the GR Corolla , which allows for variable front/rear drive force split from 0:100 to 100:0. The split automatically adjusts depending on the situation: 60:40 in “Normal,” 30:70 in “Sport,” and 50:50 in “Track.” Additionally, front and rear Torsen limited-slip differentials enhance drive force, and accelerator and steering responsiveness can be adjusted depending on the drive mode. The car also complies with the strict Euro 7 automobile emissions regulations that will come into effect in 2028.
Toyota’s next-generation turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine
Reference: Toyota
What is the European exhaust gas regulation Euro 7?
Euro 7 is a new automobile emissions regulation proposed by the European Commission. The aim of this regulation is to reduce air pollution and environmental impact in Europe, and it sets even stricter standards than the previous Euro 6. In November 2022, the European Commission proposed that Euro 7 would be applied to passenger cars and light commercial vehicles from July 1, 2025, and to heavy vehicles from July 1, 2027. However, the implementation date was postponed from the 2025 date proposed by the European Commission, and passenger cars and vans will now be introduced from January 2028. Furthermore, an opinion was expressed that NOx regulations for trucks should be more relaxed than proposed.
“Red engine” under development unveiled at “Tokyo Auto Salon 2024”
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing (TGR) and LEXUS held a “New Year’s Greetings from Morizo” by Toyota Motor Corporation Chairman and Representative Director Akio Toyoda at the TGR booth (East Hall 8) at Tokyo Auto Salon 2024, which will be held at Makuhari Messe from January 12th to 14th, 2024. During the greeting, he announced the launch of a new “Engine Project.” He also revealed photos of the “Silver Engine” and “Red Engine” currently under construction.
In his “New Year’s Greetings from Morizo,” Toyoda Akio spoke on the topics “Creating Partners for the Future,” “Building Partners Across Borders,” and “Protecting Partners for the Future.” In the section “Protecting Partners for the Future,” Morizo made a request to Toyota: ” Engines still have a role to play as a realistic means toward carbon neutrality, so let’s further hone our engine technology and launch a project like this. ” President Sato and the rest of the management team agreed, and a new project was launched. Toyoda concluded by saying, ” EV, HV, PHEV, FCEV—any power source is fine. The truth is always the same: ‘The enemy is carbon.’ Let’s create the future together, car lovers. “
During the “Car Roundtable Discussion” held after “New Year’s Greetings from Morizo,” a question was asked about the two engines currently under development, to which Chairman Toyoda replied hesitantly, “Hmm…” He said that the first, silver engine is “an environmentally friendly engine,” and that the second, red engine, is “an engine that can win races .” In other words, this red engine has the potential to be installed in a future sports model , and based on previous developments, this author got the impression that Chairman Toyoda would like to use it in the next Celica engine.
Toyota’s new GR Celica full model change safety features
The new GR Celica will be equipped with the next-generation Toyota Safety Sense as standard on all vehicles. This system includes Pre-Collision Safety, which can detect bicycles during the day and pedestrians at night, and Lane Tracing Assist (LTA), which assists with steering to keep the vehicle in its lane when Radar Cruise Control is activated. It also features a blind spot monitor, rear cross traffic alert, and hill start assist.
Will it be Toyota’s new GR Celica?
In a recent interview, Toyota Motor Corporation Chairman Akio Toyoda expressed his desire to revive the Celica name, but emphasized that the decision was not his alone.
During an interview livestreamed on the Toyota Times YouTube channel ahead of Rally Hokkaido, Toyoda was asked about the possibility of a new Celica (5:21:19). Toyoda replied, “Well, I don’t know what name it will be released under. Some people are tired of hearing me say it.”
Four-time WRC champion Juha Kankkunen is synonymous with the Celica. He’s asking us to think about why Akio Toyoda has been using Juha Kankkunen so much. The chances of the Celica making a comeback are pretty high.
Price and release date: 2026
The GR Celica is expected to start at around 6.5 million yen, which is a reasonable price considering its high-performance powertrain and advanced equipment.
The release date is expected to be around 2026. With the introduction of the GR Celica, Toyota aims to strengthen the GR brand lineup and increase its presence in the sports car market.
What the GR Celica brings: New value for sports cars
The GR Celica is not simply a reproduction of a classic car from the past, but a new-generation sports car that incorporates Toyota’s technological capabilities and passion. It has evolved in every aspect, including high driving performance, sophisticated design, and advanced safety features.
The arrival of the GR Celica will be a great joy for sports car fans, and will also serve as a model that demonstrates new possibilities for engine-powered vehicles in an automotive industry where electrification is on the rise.
Through the GR Celica, Toyota intends to create new value for sports cars and continue to pursue the joy of driving.
History of the Celica
The Celica is a hardtop and coupe-type passenger car manufactured and sold by Toyota from 1970 to 2006. As Japan’s first specialty car (a passenger car with a sports car-like appearance that emphasizes comfort and livability), it features an innovative design and was also exported to North America and Europe.
First generation A20/30 type
Release date: December 1970
Nickname: Daruma Celica (also known as “Dharma”)
Features: The car was nicknamed Daruma Celica because of its plump body, which resembled a Daruma doll. This specialty car used the chassis of the Carina family sedan.
- January 1974: A minor change unified the front nose design of the coupe and added the 2000GT.
- October 1975: A minor change was made to comply with the 1975 exhaust gas regulations.
- 1977: The special edition “Black Celica” is introduced.
Second generation A40/50
Release date: August 1977
Features: The platform is the same as the Carina.
- August 1979: A minor change involved a change to the front grille and the headlights were changed to a square four-lamp configuration.
- January 1980: The four-door sedan Celica Camry is introduced, becoming a sister model to the Carina.
Third generation A60 model
Release date: July 1981
Features: The chassis was the same as the Carina and Corona, and it was the first Japanese car to feature rise-up (pop-up) headlights.
- 1983: A minor change saw the introduction of retractable headlights (black mask) and door mirrors as standard equipment.
4th generation T160 type
Release Date: August 1985.
Features: Changed to front-wheel drive and based on the FF Corona/Carina floorpan. The model number was changed to “T”, and sister cars, the Corona Coupe and Carina ED, were released.
5th generation T180 type
Release date: September 1989
Features : Featuring a futuristic new aero form, the details of the design were changed in August 1991, and the emblem was changed to the Toyota mark.
- September 1993: Production ended and only stock was sold.
6th generation T200 type
Release date: October 1993
Features: The newly designed chassis was the same as the Carina ED and Corona EXiV, and all models were made into a 3-number vehicle with improved rigidity.
- September 1994: The third-generation convertible (ST202C model) was released in Japan.
- December 1997: In a minor change, VVT-i was adopted for the 3S-GE engines installed in the SS-II and SS-III models, and was named “BEAMS.”
- August 1999: Production ended.
7th generation T230 model
Release Date: September 1999
Features: This was the seventh generation full model change, and CALTY was in charge of the exterior design. It features vertical headlights and a short, angular, stepped rear deck.
Sales ended: April 2006.
This marked the end of the Celica’s seventh generation and 36-year history.
The Celica has continued to evolve over the years, captivating many fans with its unique style and technology.
A word from the editorial department
Among the various theories, the key to the revival of the Celica is that Akio Toyoda has strongly expressed his desire to revive the Celica name. However, as Toyoda himself has said, not all opinions are accepted at Toyota Motor Corporation, and the chairman’s opinions do not necessarily go unchallenged. However, as engine development progresses and discussions move forward within the company, it is likely that a new Celica will be released in the future. We will keep you updated as new information becomes available.
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