Toyota followers and automobile fans on the whole rejoice! The Japanese automaker says an all new Celica is coming 18 years after the automobile was killed in 2004. Toyota’s vp confirmed that it’s engaged on a brand new Celica whereas talking at this weekend’s Rally Japan. There have been rumblings concerning the Celica’s return for years, nevertheless it appears we’ve lastly received some concrete information on the matter.
In latest weeks, Toyota has dropped hints that it was planning to revive the Celica and MR2 nameplates whereas retaining the GR86 and GR Supra in its lineup, in response to Autocar. That’s simply implausible information, isn’t it people? In a latest episode of Toyota’s self-published cartoon, known as “Grip,” Autocar says a whiteboard containing an inventory of recent fashions is present that lists out a Supra Mk6, Celica Mk8, MR2 Mk4, GR86 Mk3 and a GR GT3. Who is aware of what these automobiles will find yourself being, nevertheless it certain is thrilling nonetheless. Apparently, the whiteboard scene options Grasp Rugu, who trains the present’s protagonist throughout their battle towards autonomous race automobiles. Sick.
Right here’s what Yuki Nakajima, Toyota’s vp, mentioned to the gang at Rally Japan, in response to Autocar:
“We’re making the Celica!”
He added: “To be sincere, there isn’t any signal of it proper now. Nevertheless, there are a lot of individuals inside the firm who’re eagerly awaiting the Celica. So… I’m wondering if it’s okay to say this in a public discussion board, however we’re doing the Celica!”
Chairman Akio Toyoda – who was the principle driving power behind the creation of GR – apparently mentioned he wished to revive the “three brothers,” i.e. the Celica, MR2 and Supra, in response to Autocar. He’s a 3rd of the best way there proper now, so fingers crossed he can end the job.
Toyota has – for some time now – been debating on simply find out how to convey the Celica again, as Autocar explains:
Toyota has been debating whether or not to press a brand new Celica into manufacturing on a brand new electrical automobile platform that opens up “a lot of completely different prospects”.
Key to this structure is a low seat top, enabling a extra conventional sports activities automobiles expertise. The FT-Se idea revealed finally 12 months’s Tokyo motor present sits 75mm decrease than the Porsche 718 Cayman. Its design is break up into three modules, with single-piece entrance and rear ends.
This “permits us to be extra excessive”, Shinya Ito, normal supervisor of Lexus Electrified, instructed Autocar final 12 months.
The brand new platform may even be used for a cab-forward two-seat sports activities automobile that channels the spirit of the MR2 and relies on the FT-Se idea. Nevertheless, it received’t essentially revive the MR2 identify.
There’s extra fascinating information, too. Throughout Rally Japan, attendees have been allowed to ask questions as properly. Somebody within the viewers requested the panel what the next-generation GR86 will probably be like – particularly what kind of motor it might have. Right here’s what was mentioned, in response to Japanese journal Greatest Automotive:
The microphone was handed to driver (and staff supervisor) Kazuya Oshima, who’s at the moment competing within the Tremendous Taikyu Sequence with the GR86 for “ORC ROOKIE Racing,” who replied, “We’re at the moment engaged on a variety of issues (concerning the next-generation GR86 and its engine), primarily on the circuit.”
In response, Chairman Toyoda mentioned, “I don’t actually perceive. It is a query from Greatest Automotive. I feel I ought to ask an government officer,” and handed the microphone again to Govt Vice President Nakajima on stage. After which…
“At this 12 months’s (2024) Tokyo Auto Salon, I requested Morizo (Chairman Toyoda Akio), ‘Which is your favourite engine, the one you want to go away to the subsequent era?’ He replied, ‘Subaru’s horizontally opposed engine and Mazda’s rotary engine.’ There have been no Toyota engines!! This impressed all of Toyota’s engine builders. We are going to create an engine that Morizo will need to go away behind. It’s not a matter of whether or not we are able to launch it or not, or whether or not we’ll go away it behind or not, however we’re going to launch it!’
I do know there isn’t very a lot cash in enthusiast-oriented sports activities automobiles, so it’s very refreshing to see an automaker going out of its solution to make enjoyable and fascinating automobiles for weirdos like us.
