It’s pretty much assumed by now that Toyota will bring back the Celica, it’s just a matter of when. But a new report out of Japan comes with an extra dose of “what?” as well. Apparently, this new Celica will have a mid-engine configuration. Hmmm, it’s too bad Toyota didn’t have another mid-engined sports car nameplate lying around.
Since December 2023 rumors have been swirling about a mid-engined Toyota sports car. A prototype GR Yaris with the engine in the trunk was shown at various car shows and is slated to compete in Japan’s Super Taikyu enduro series later this month. Ultimately, Toyota insiders said they decided the car would have a bigger impact if the styling was more dramatically different than the GR Yaris’, opting for a traditional sports car wedge.
But now, Best Car reports that this wedge will not be a resurrected MR2, but a Celica instead. They seem to have gathered a good bit of intel from sources as well, including the project’s internal code, which is 710D. It was well known that the Toyota 86/Scion FR-S internal project code was 086A, and engineers reportedly waited until that number came up in the sequence to submit an application, but there seems to be no meaning behind 710D.
Best Car says the engine has been upgraded as well. Originally, the rumored MR2 was supposed to use the same turbocharged 1.6-liter inline-three from the GR Yaris/Corolla, but now the magazine says that a 2.0-liter inline-four capable of 400ps and 406 lb-ft of torque. That’s a 79-horsepower increase from the rumored output of the three-cylinder, but the engine rumored to be under the Celica’s hood since last year. There will be no hybrid variant, and power will be sent to all four wheels.
Previously, it was being debated whether the “MR2” would have a single- or double-decklid design. The double-deck has won, providing extra structural rigidity. The report further states that the roof and hood will be of carbon fiber construction. It had been reported that the car would come with a 6MT only, but now the GR Yaris/Corolla’s 8-speed direct automatic transmission will also be available.
The part of the article that got us most excited, however, describes how Toyota is prioritizing visibility in the A-pillar design. It says the windshield will curve on the left and right sides so the A-pillars can be positioned further back, providing more forward visibility, especially in corners. This is welcome news in an age where view of the road and track are often blocked by thick pillars.
As is the case with previous Toyota sports cars like the 86, a stripped-down track-ready RC trim will be available, likely with steel wheels and unpainted bumpers covers. The fully furnished will be called the RZ. Finally, Best Car says that the release date has been pushed back to April 2028, with a prototype to be unveiled at the 2027 Tokyo Auto Salon.
It’s a confusing shakeup, because while the AWD drivetrain can be linked with the Celica GT-Four and Toyota’s significant rally heritage, the mid-engine layout will have everyone immediately thinking about the MR2.
How did we get here? If we had to wager, we’d guess that Toyota wanted to revive the Celica and build a mid-engined performance car of some sort, likely the GR Yaris. But execs like chairman Akio Toyoda and president Koji Sato jumped the gun by talking about it publicly. So when the decision was made to change the mid-engined GR Yaris to a sports car body style, it was the perfect (or closest) fit for the Celica that was already promised.
Or, they realized they were building too many sports cars. If you’re keeping count, there’s the GR Yaris, GR Corolla, GR86, GR Supra, this new Celi2, and a rumored inline-six collab with Mazda, which may or may not be a GT3-level supercar. That’s a lot, more than any other mainstream carmaker right now, and it’s a good problem to have.
Will it be a 2 seater or a 2+2 ? If latter the Celica nameplate makes more sense. Otherwise, you’d have the otaku complaining it should be MR4 or MR2+2
I don’t care what it is called! At least there is another MANUAL sports car option that is AWD and perhaps a better driving position! Plus 4 cylinders, my goodness, what is there not to love other than worry about a name!
Or you could be confusing it with a front mid-engine, where the engine is behind the suspension. As in the S2000… which would make for a great weight balance which is notably terrible in the 86
The original article said “mid-ship” indicating mid-rear.
Translation issue.
And what AWD system does Toyota have to accomplish that goal? Because it would need to be entirely different from the GR system to be front mid engine WITH awd.
Pity it won’t be an affordable car though. It’s specification says Supra, not Celica.
Five performance models is a lot to ask a dealer network to sell. Three models is much more manageable for a tiered sales strategy. So my guess is that the the GR86 and GR Yaris will be discontinued. That would leave the GR Corolla, Celica, and Supra as the tiered models. I am assuming the inline six model will be the next Supra. A much more manageable mix for a dealer to upsell.
I agree.
I’ve always read that sports cars sales spike in their first 1-2 years, then tank. They are not big money makers.
Whilst I love Morizo’s drive to transform Toyota, they have far too many sports models for long term viability.
It’s a great situation to be in! Who would have guessed that whitegoods mid noughties Toyota can change into the last bastion of traditional sports cars?
“Or, they realized they were building too many sports cars. If you’re keeping count, there’s the GR Yaris, GR Corolla, GR86, GR Supra, this new Celi2, and a rumored inline-six collab with Mazda, which may or may not be a GT3-level supercar. That’s a lot, more than any other mainstream carmaker right now, and it’s a good problem to have.”
Whether or not the Celica is released as mid-engine, I think by the time it actually releases (if at all) they will be replacing some models with others. I could see the GR Yaris going away, because I think the Celica (or GR Celica) could replace it in the WRC…if the WRC still exists at that point. I don’t think there is a GR Yaris if they aren’t competing in rally with a “Yaris”.
The inline-6 Mazda collaboration almost certainly would be the next Supra, not an additional inline-6 offering.
I’m also not sure there’s any reason to believe the GR Corolla and/or GR86 won’t be phased out by the time any Celica hits the lots.
Remember that it has been announced that the GR Corolla will be built in the UK, including for export to North America. That suggests to me a new generation of the base Corolla since the current one is very old.
And the Yaris is very very old.
Then there is the Supra… sales have fallen and I think there was an initial set of buyers that was limited in numbers. Same for the 86 cars.. when it’s fresh you see a few around then those drop off.
That’s my silvertop-swapped ’88 hardtop AW11 at Radwood in photo 1. Of all the many examples of that platform I’ve owned, I miss it the most. It was the last car sold on Rad4Sale, who I was working with at the time. Went too cheap, but a deal is a deal. Seller was planning a 3SGTE swap, which has always seemed silly to me – way too much power for that chassis.
Sigh.
Very nice! I’ve always wanted to get an AW11. I had the opportunity to do a straight trade for one a few months ago for my ’02 Celica GT-S. I should have jumped on it, but I hesitated and the car sold.
I think a nice light 2zz-ge in the AW11 chassis would be nice, supercharged if need be, but agree that a 3s-gte is a bit much…
I’d love a late Celica GT-S someday, but I’m an hardcore 4AG purist.
ST205 Celica GT-Four for me. Then I can pick up where I left off (and Toyota left us without) originally. And the only way this can be successful and lithe is with a torque-proportioning rear differential. And a hatch, to carry tools and tires to the track.
But getting back to reality, what are the requirements for a Celica? Is there an entire range from basic dull to GT-Four? The only reason for that kind of breadth originally was that 3-door hatches were popular and practical. Not any more. I’d suggest this start with a well equiipped model to start.
Weird to read this bit of news, so it could be a Celica MR-2? The sad part is that with carbon-fiber this and AWD that, it will be expensive, I really hope they do not ditch the GR86 to make room for this one! I live in winterland and most people do not want a short wheelbase RWD car year long, so most RWD sports cars get garaged during winter. I really hoped for a cheap FWD sporty Celica that people could run year long!
As long as there are no cheap and cheerful sporty cars, sports cars will remain niche. Cars are more expensive than ever, loaded with tech, it is a stretch for most people to have multiple cars, even more when the extra car is a toy with not much useability. There are some people with the wallet for it, for sure, but imagine if a sporty car was priced in the range of price a young adult could say “you know what, I could rock this for a couple years before getting an SUV!” like the Toyota Paseo, the sporty-spec Corolla and base Celica were back then.
Wow, a mid-engine GR Celica? Toyota really knows how to stir up nostalgia with a twist — can’t wait to see how this icon is reimagined!