- At a public event, Toyota VP Yuki Nakajima told attendees that “We’re doing the Celica.”
- This marks Toyota’s first official confirmation of the much-anticipated eighth-generation coupe.
- The upcoming Celica is expected to launch alongside a new-generation GR86 model.
After years of persistent rumors and speculative headlines, Toyota has finally confirmed that the Celica nameplate is making a comeback. The announcement came from none other than Toyota’s executive vice president, Yuki Nakajima, during a public event at the Toyota Stadium in conjunction with Rally Japan.
The confirmation was something of an impromptu reveal. When Toyota Chairman Akio Toyoda was asked directly about the possibility of a new Celica, he playfully dodged the question, redirecting it to Nakajima.
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According to Japanese outlet Best Car, Nakajima replied: “To be honest, there is no sign of it right now. 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!”
A Cautious (but Teasing) Confirmation
While Nakajima’s statement seemed definitive, Akio Toyoda reportedly added a note of caution: “Is everything okay? There are a lot of difficulties. Best Car wrote that Toyota is making the Celica, but you shouldn’t believe that.” Not missing a beat, Nakajima reclaimed the mic with a playful follow-up: “They haven’t said when it will be released, so it could be next year.”
We’ve also reached out to Toyota for comment and will update this story if they respond.
The Celica had maintained a consistent presence in Toyota’s lineup from 1970 to 2006, spanning seven generations. According to unconfirmed rumors from Japan, the eighth-generation model could make an appearance as early as the 2025 Tokyo Auto Salon. However, there’s a possibility that this debut might come in the form of a concept car rather than a final production model.
Hints in Plain Sight
Interestingly, Toyota may have dropped hints about the Celica’s return weeks before this revelation. As part of the GRIP anime series, a teaser surfaced featuring a board in the background, which appeared to outline Toyota’s future sportscar lineup. The board listed intriguing model updates: Supra MK6, Celica MK8, MR2 MK4, GR 86 MK3, and the GR GT3.
More: Did Toyota Just Reveal Its Future GR Sports Car Lineup In An Anime Series?
Turbocharged Speculation For The GR 86
During the Toyota Stadium event, the Celica wasn’t the only topic drawing attention. An audience member asked about the next-generation GR86, specifically whether it will retain its front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout and possibly gain a turbocharged powertrain. Kazuya Oshima, a driver for Toyota’s GR86 entry in the Super Taikyu Series, cryptically responded, “We’re working on a lot of things for the future of the nameplate. Development is mainly happening on the circuit.”
Vice President Nakajima revealed that when he asked Akio Toyoda about his favorite engine, the chairman surprisingly named Subaru’s boxer engine and Mazda’s rotary engine—steering clear of selecting one from Toyota’s own lineup. This statement hints that Toyota’s engineers are hard at work developing a new powertrain that, as Toyoda himself put it, “Morizo will want to leave behind.”
Toyota has been refreshingly transparent about its forward-thinking engine strategy. Earlier this year, the company announced it is developing new 1.5-liter and 2.0-liter engines designed to accommodate electrification and alternative fuels. This initiative is part of a collaborative effort with Subaru and Mazda to secure the future of the internal combustion engine (ICE). Among these, the turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine stands out as a strong contender for the new Celica. In its high-performance configuration, it is expected to deliver an impressive 400 hp (298 kW / 406 PS).
Fingers Crossed
With the Celica’s comeback, playful hints of an MR2 revival, and updates looming for the GR86, Toyota seems eager to reignite its sports car glory days. Let’s just hope it’s not all smoke and mirrors.
