Toyota Confirms Celica Will Return For Eighth Generation
Toyota has officially confirmed the return of the iconic Celica name.
The news came from Toyota’s executive vice president Yuki Nakajima during a public event at Toyota Stadium in Japan, held alongside the World Rally Championship's Rally Japan event. Despite years of speculation, this is the first definitive acknowledgment of an eighth-generation Celica program from the automaker.
According to Japan's Best Car, the announcement was spontaneous—after Toyota Chairman Akio Toyoda was asked directly about the Celica, he playfully deflected, before passing the mic to Nakajima, who exclaimed, “We’re doing the Celica!”
While no official timeline was provided, speculation points to a potential debut at the 2025 Tokyo Auto Salon, though this may be in concept form.
The Celica, which first launched in 1970 and remained in production through 2006, was celebrated for its innovative designs and motorsport success. The eighth-generation Celica is expected to potentially share a platform with the GR86. A turbocharged 2.0-liter engine, developed as part of Toyota’s collaboration with Subaru and Mazda, is rumored to deliver up to 400 horsepower.
The Celica’s revival arrives amidst a performance renaissance at Toyota. Nakajima hinted at development for the GR86, which will likely retain a rear-wheel-drive layout and possibly gain a turbocharged engine. Meanwhile, Toyota’s engineering team continues to explore alternative fuels and hybrid systems for future sports cars.
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An experienced automotive storyteller and accomplished photographer known for engaging and insightful content. Michael also brings a wealth of technical knowledge—he was part of the Ford GT program at Multimatic, oversaw a fleet of Audi TCR race cars, ziptied Lamborghini Super Trofeo cars back together, been over the wall during the Rolex 24, and worked in the intense world of IndyCar.
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