Toyota hints at relaunching Celica after 17 years

WEB DESK: In the latest edition of Toyota Times magazine, the focus shifted from the Century SUV to a subject close to the hearts of sports car enthusiasts.

The recent post, dedicated entirely to sports cars, has sparked excitement among fans. What caught the attention of many was the subtle yet intriguing revelation made by Akio Toyoda, the former president and CEO, who now serves as the chairman of the company.

During an interview with Hitoshi Hongo, the former editor-in-chief of Best Car magazine, Toyoda hinted at the much-anticipated return of the Celica.

When asked about the potential comeback of the performance coupe, the 67-year-old businessman confessed that he had made a formal request to the higher-ups within the company to resurrect the Celica.

His words during the interview hinted at the possibility of the sports car’s return: “I’m not just saying this because we’re at a rally event, but Kankkunen (who was invited to the demo run) is Mr Celica. He was champion four times in the Celica. Now you can all think about why I’m using Kankkunen so much. See if you can guess!”

Toyota’s enthusiasm for reviving the Celica is not the only indication of Toyota’s interest in the sports car. Earlier this year, during another rally event, Toyota President Tsuneji Sato expressed his desire to see the launch of an eighth-generation Celica model.

It’s worth noting that Toyota has been actively expanding its Gazoo Racing lineup, introducing models like the GR 86, GR Yaris, GR Corolla, and GR Supra.

Read more: Toyota to launch an affordable baby Land Cruiser

Rumours are swirling about the potential launch of a high-performance Prius, and the Century SUV has already been showcased with a GR badge.

Additionally, the GR GT3 Concept, confirmed to inspire a road-going Lexus model, and the Sports EV Concept from late 2021, which hinted at a possible rebirth of the MR2, have kept enthusiasts eagerly anticipating Toyota’s next moves in the sports car arena.

The prospect of a new Celica is especially significant given that the model was discontinued in 2005 with the retirement of the “T230” generation.

As the automotive industry transitions towards electric vehicles, questions arise about the future Celica’s placement within Toyota’s lineup and whether it will feature a combustion engine, considering the diminishing presence of internal combustion engine (ICE) sports cars in the market.

Enthusiasts and industry observers alike are keen to see how Toyota will navigate these challenges while reviving the iconic Celica.