Now, the company is confirming a few details about the new performance model.
The new Celica is most likely to use a hybrid-assisted 2.0-liter engine with all-wheel drive. Gazoo Racing marketing manager Mikio Hayashi told Autocar:
"The displacement size of 1.6 liters, for example, cannot meet emission regulations. So we have to consider the possibility of a 2.0-liter.
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."
-Mikio Hayashi ,Gazoo Racing marketing manager, per AutoCar
The 2.0-liter engine that Hayashi is referring to is likely the performance-oriented four-cylinder that Toyota has deep into development. Depending on the tuning, the powerplant can reportedly make upwards of 600 horsepower. Although we're anticipating a far milder number for street-legal applications of this unit.
Hayashi said the company was still working on the new 2.0-liter engine. “We are continuing to develop that. We have high expectations. We cannot point to a timeline but can say we are making steady progress.”
Toyota has been using a mid-engined GR Yaris race car as a test bed for the powerplant. It's reportedly making over 400 hp. Roughly this amount of power would make sense for a production-spec version. There would be a sufficient upgrade over the GR Corolla with 300 hp and even a little bump over 382 hp from the GR Supra, which is facing retirement.
An unnamed insider also told Autocar that Toyota was considering calling the new vehicle the Celica Sport. The reason behind not just sticking with "Celica" as the moniker is unclear. Other than being the name of a few options and packages over the years, there isn't much significance to adding "Sport" to the vehicle's nameplate.
Expect the roadgoing Celica to look similar to the rally version but less aggressive. In general, the new sports coupe has a blocky front end, even ignoring the boxy fender flares, but a fairly sleek roof leading to a flat tail. The overhangs appear quite short, which visually accentuates the area between the wheelbase.
The launch timing for the new Celica remains a mystery, but we're expecting to see it sometime in 2026 or very early 2027. This estimate is based on the car being developed for the 2027 WRC season. We can't imagine Toyota competing with a production-based vehicle on a world stage and not already premiering the street version.
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The Celica was last available in the United States for the 2005 model year. The most powerful, final-generation models in the US made 180 horsepower. If the new one arrives with 400 hp, it could be a grand revival for the Celica.
