2026 Toyota GR celica

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Toyota “Celica” to be revived as a BEV sports car, with an innovative battery that will run 1000km!

According to the latest information obtained by the Scoop Team, the car will be a BEV (battery-electric vehicle) sports car that uses the innovative EV platform used in the Lexus LF-ZC concept and Toyota’s compact FT-Se and FT-3e concepts. Production is also likely to use “Gigacast,” which integrally molds the body structure to significantly reduce the number of parts required and improve efficiency. In GIGACAST, the front and rear modules are each molded as one piece, and the central section houses the battery.

Toyota’s advanced new rectangular battery could also be a key element in the Celica’s revival. The packs will be produced in two sizes, one of which will be built into the floor at a height of only 100 mm. This would allow for the production of BEV sports cars with a lower center of gravity. The evolution of batteries will undoubtedly have a profound impact on future sports car design.

The next generation of BEV sports cars is expected to have aerodynamic performance with a Cd value of 0.2 level, maximum output of 250ps to 300ps, and a following range of 1000km per full charge. It is also expected to be equipped with a virtual manual transmission, which is currently under development.

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Source : response.jp

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Toyota Plans Revival of ‘Celica’ for 2026

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  • Set to be reborn as a high-performance coupe with over 400 horsepower
  • Expected to feature next-generation GR-FOUR system

Toyota Motor Corporation plans to revive its ‘Celica’ model in 2026, according to a report by Japanese automotive magazine ‘Best Car’. The Celica, discontinued in 1999, was one of Toyota’s iconic sports cars, with its GT-FOUR model notably active in the World Rally Championship (WRC).

Key Features:

  1. Powertrain
  • Next-generation 2.0-liter turbocharged engine
  • Estimated maximum output of 400 horsepower and 56.1 kg·m of torque
  • Capable of using CN (Carbon Neutral) fuels
  1. Drive System
  • Implementation of next-generation GR-FOUR system
  • Planned for release as an all-wheel drive model
  1. Transmission
  • Options for 6-speed manual and 8-speed automatic transmissions
  1. Positioning
  • Aimed at the luxury sports car market
  • Returning to its roots, moving away from the hardcore image of the 90s

A Toyota spokesperson stated, “The new Celica is being developed to inherit the DNA of past models while incorporating modern technology. We aim to achieve both high performance and environmental friendliness.”

Industry sources suggest that a prototype of the Celica might be unveiled at the 2025 Tokyo Auto Salon.

The automotive industry is closely watching how Toyota’s decision will impact the sports car market. The revival of an internal combustion engine sports car amidst the trend towards electric vehicles is seen as an unusual move, and competitors’ responses are also drawing attention.

Toyota has yet to comment on specific launch dates and pricing details.

This move by Toyota is seen as a strategic effort to maintain its presence in the performance car segment while adapting to changing market demands and environmental regulations. The incorporation of CN fuel compatibility suggests Toyota’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions even in its high-performance vehicles.

Source: https://bestcarweb.jp/

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It’s even possible that the Celica could return to the World Rally Championship, after the FIA expanded the series’ regulations to allow a wider range of bodystyles from 2027

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Toyota has made it clear that the Celica will return, and now new, detailed information about the GR Celica has surfaced. Some of it differs from earlier reports, but it’s far more specific and gives us what appears to be the final configuration of the car.

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:white_check_mark: A 2028 April Debut? Prototype Reveal in 2027 Tokyo Auto Salon?

The car strongly resembles the classic MR2 with its unmistakably mid-engine proportions. It features an A-pillar placement focused on driver visibility and is reportedly “visually larger than its actual size,” according to sightings—some of which informed the CG renders created by Best Car.

:automobile: Toyota’s Commitment to the Celica Revival

With Chairman Akio Toyoda and President Koji Sato backing the revival, the GR Celica is no longer just a rumor—it’s happening. However, the way information has emerged differs from the norm. Rather than starting from vague whispers and gradually refining, this time production is assured from the outset, even before details were leaked.

That said, Toyota hasn’t officially revealed specs or design features, but multiple sources have provided Best Car with a comprehensive look at the car’s framework. Let’s revisit what we know before diving into the new intel.

:gear: Key Powertrain & Layout Info

  • Engine: New-generation 2.0L inline-4 turbo (G20E)

  • Output: 400ps, 550Nm (56.1kgm)

  • Drivetrain: Mid-engine, 4WD

  • Fuel Type: Pure gasoline turbo (not hybrid)

The GR Yaris M Concept, unveiled at the 2025 Tokyo Auto Salon, is believed to act as a testbed for the GR Celica’s performance development. Starting July 26–27, 2025 (Round 5 at Autopolis), this prototype will compete in the Super Taikyu endurance series to be refined in real-world racing.

:racing_car: A Return to Midship Roots—Not Rally, But Circuit-Focused

Toyota hasn’t built a mid-engine car since the MR-S ended in 2007. The GR Yaris M Concept exists because developing a new midship vehicle is essentially a fresh start for the brand. While Toyota has facilities like the Shimoyama Test Course and the Nürburgring, racing provides feedback from top-tier drivers—making it invaluable.

Though the original Celica is remembered for WRC rally success, the GR Celica is expected to be a circuit-focused machine.

:new_button: New Development Information (June 2025)

:1234: Development Code: 710D

The GR Celica’s internal development code is 710D. The original 86 was “086A” and famously delayed until that number could be assigned. The significance of “710D” remains unknown, but its uniqueness is noteworthy.

:person_lifting_weights: Carbon Fiber Roof & Hoods

  • The GR Celica will use carbon fiber for both the roof and hood panels.

  • Since it’s mid-engined, it will have both front and rear hoods:

    • Front hood houses a spare tire.

    • Rear has separate covers for the engine and trunk.

:feather: Rear Deck Design Finalized: Double-Deck

Two rear deck designs were considered—single deck and double deck. The double-deck configuration has been chosen due to its superior body rigidity, even though the single-deck allows a wider opening.

:eyes: Visibility-Optimized A-Pillar

A new detail: the A-pillar design prioritizes visibility. Previous rumors suggested the front windshield would be more upright, and now it seems the A-pillars will be set back, allowing a wide, curved windshield—enhancing driver sightlines especially around corners.

:level_slider: Grades, Transmissions, and Price

Two trims will be offered:

  • RZ (standard high-performance)

  • RC (race base model, like GR Yaris)

Originally said to be 6-speed manual only, latest info confirms a new 8-speed Direct Automatic Transmission (DAT) will also be offered. This transmission has already appeared in upgraded versions of the GR Yaris and GR Corolla.

:tear_off_calendar: Launch Timeline

  • Prototype Reveal: January 2027 Tokyo Auto Salon

  • Official Debut & Sales Start: April 2028

This represents a delay of roughly one year from the original 2027 spring target, but the prototype will offer a nearly production-spec preview at the 2027 event.

:magnifying_glass_tilted_left: Expected Specifications – Toyota GR Celica (Predicted)

Spec Detail
Overall Length x Width x Height 4400 × 1860 × 1230 mm
Wheelbase 2600 mm
Weight 1300 kg
Engine Inline-4 2.0L turbo (G20E)
Max Output 400 ps
Max Torque 56.1 kgm (550 Nm)
Transmission 6-speed iMT / 8-speed DAT
Drivetrain 4WD (midship)
Launch Date April 2028
Expected Price ¥8,000,000 – ¥10,000,000

*price may vary by market

Source: Bestcarweb