Toyota followers and automotive fans basically 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, but it surely appears we’ve lastly received 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 protecting the GR86 and GR Supra in its lineup, in response to 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 a listing 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 automobiles will find yourself being, but it surely certain is thrilling nonetheless. Apparently, the whiteboard scene options Grasp Rugu, who trains the present’s protagonist throughout their battle in opposition to autonomous race automobiles. Sick.
Right here’s what Yuki Nakajima, Toyota’s vice chairman, mentioned to the gang at Rally Japan, in response to Autocar:
“We’re making the Celica!”
He added: “To be trustworthy, there isn’t any signal of it proper now. Nevertheless, there are lots of folks inside the firm who’re eagerly awaiting the Celica. So… I ponder 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 power behind the creation of GR – apparently mentioned he wished to revive the “three brothers,” i.e. the Celica, MR2 and Supra, in response to Autocar. He’s a 3rd of the best way there proper now, so fingers crossed he can end the job.
Toyota has – for some time now – been debating on simply how you can 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 “plenty of completely different prospects”.
Key to this structure is a low seat peak, enabling a extra conventional sports activities automobiles expertise. The FT-Se idea revealed finally 12 months’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, common supervisor of Lexus Electrified, instructed Autocar final 12 months.
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 relies on the FT-Se idea. Nevertheless, it received’t essentially revive the MR2 identify.
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 likely be like – particularly what kind of motor it might have. Right here’s what was mentioned, in response to Japanese journal Finest Automobile:
The microphone was handed to driver (and staff 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 quite a lot of issues (concerning the next-generation GR86 and its engine), primarily on the circuit.”
In response, Chairman Toyoda mentioned, “I don’t actually perceive. It is a query from Finest Automobile. I feel I ought to ask an govt officer,” and handed the microphone again to Govt Vice President Nakajima on stage. After which…
“At this 12 months’s (2024) Tokyo Auto Salon, I requested Morizo (Chairman Toyoda Akio), ‘Which is your favourite engine, the one you want to go away to the following era?’ 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 are going to create an engine that Morizo will need to go away behind. It’s not a matter of whether or not we are able to launch it or not, or whether or not we’ll go away 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 automobiles, so it’s very refreshing to see an automaker going out of its strategy to make enjoyable and attention-grabbing automobiles for weirdos like us.
