Toyota is considering a 2.0-litre hybrid powertrain for its highly anticipated new Celica, which Autocar has been told could be named the Celica Sport.
The Japanese marque officially confirmed the Celica's return at the 2024 Rally Japan, when then-vice-president Yuki Nakajima told spectators “We’re making the Celica!”.
Speculation mounted again earlier this month when what appeared to be the new sports coupé was spotted being shaken down in Portugal ahead of the 2027 World Rally Championship.
Now Autocar has been told the car is being referred to as the Celica Sport, while a Toyota spokesperson confirmed that it will have four-wheel drive.
Revealing to Autocar details about the car’s potential powertrain, Gazoo Racing marketing manager Mikio Hayashi said: “The displacement size of 1.6 litres [used in the GR Yaris], for example, cannot meet emission regulations. So we have to consider the possibility of a 2.0-litre.
"We are thinking about various sizes, but we are not at a stage where we can tell you exactly what size it is. Nothing has been decided yet about whether it will be a standard hybrid or plug-in hybrid.”
Pressed on a timeframe for the new 2.0-litre engine, Hayashi remained coy. “We are continuing to develop that. We have high expectations," he said. "We cannot point to a timeline but can say we are making steady progress.”
Autocar reported last year that Toyota was priming a new hybrid powertrain for its GR models in an effort to give its sporting sub-brand a new lease of life in an era of strict emissions regulations.
This system will be based around a new turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, which for the next generation of its sports cars will likely have a 2.0-litre capacity.
This features a shorter piston stroke than Toyota’s current engines, making it smaller and lighter. This is important, because a hybrid element can be fitted with minimal weight penalty compared with existing GR cars.
German publication Auto Motor und Sport has also reported that the engine could produce 600bhp or more when fitted with a suitably large turbocharger.
As well as the Celica, the new engine could eventually find its way into the GR Yaris, European sales of which have been restricted by increasingly stringent emissions legislation.
The Celica's revival aligns with Toyota chairman Akio Toyoda’s long-stated desire to reunite the brand's "three brothers": the Supra, Celica and MR2.
With the Supra having returned to showrooms in 2019 and Toyota stating to Autocar that it will “have to continue to look at customer demand” for the MR2, the Celica is next in line to make a comeback.
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I've seen many powerful builds in my career, but the prospect of a hybrid turbo 4WD Celica parked on our new concrete driveways hamilton really highlights how modern engineering can blend heritage with cutting-edge performance.
Toyota, it's all very well going GR this GR that but try making an interesting car in anything other than limited numbers at crazy prices.
As to the GR brothers statement, really. You don't sell one in Europe let alone 3.
LandCruiser, LandCruiser Prado, LandCruiser 79 Series, HiLux, GR Yaris, Gr Corolla, GR86...
Try reading posts first before replying. LandCruiser 79 Series, Pickup HiLux, 3 of your suggestions were basically the same overpriced car, they aren't interesting either.
As to the others, you mostly can't even buy them here, same probably goes for Europe. Instead you get plain jane Yaris, Corolla, C-HR, BZ4X, yawn
LoL LandCruiser, Parado and 79 are three very different vehicles. And while they're too expensive for an OAP, they're not overpriced - LandCruiser and 79 are engineered to a standard and built on a specific line for 400,000km of use, with maintenance. Actual quality, as opposed to perceived quality. HiLux is a completely different vehicle again.
Current Prius is HOT. C-HR looks cool for what it is, as does BZ4X. Yaris, Corrolla actually look interesting for little hatches, hybrid adds a lot of value and is interesting tech. Some people, like me, are interested in and value integrity, durability, and quality, so there's that. Even RAV is now over-engineered and can be used in construction, mining, etc. fleets.
They aren't Aston but for a mainstream manufacturer it's an outstanding range. Which manufacturers do you think make "interesting" cars?
Yea cause there's a Parado on 75 plates outside a Toyota dealership down the road, next to most interesting of cars, your words, a 2.0 diesel HiLux pick up.
As to all those cars you cannot actually buy, might as well say Ford make interesting cars what with the Mk1 Mexico.
Prius Hot, only if it's on fire. I think you're spending to much time down the Derby and Joan club with you pensioner friends comparing notes on your Yaris
Ah, once again you're having trouble with comprehension. There there, have a cuppa. And perhaps think about which manufacturer YOU think has an interesting model range.