Toyota Celica coming back as GR model with up to 400 PS?

Toyota Gazoo Racing has reportedly finished developing a brand new Celica with AWD

Toyota may be facing a whirlwind of issues right now concerning safety irregularities. But another issue that recently involved the automaker is the possible discontinuation of the fifth-generation Supra. Based on a recent report, it appears that Toyota and BMW may axe the Supra and Z4, respectively due to multiple factors like slow sales and change in the company direction.

In the end, it appears that Toyota is looking to build the next-generation Supra on its own, or so they want us to think. That's because there has been a new report that the company plans on making something else entirely. Supposedly, Toyota is planning to bring back a revered nameplate from hiatus for their next GR model.

According to a report by the Japanese publication Best Car, Toyota has been busy developing a brand-new Celica. In fact, the development of its high-performance engine has already been completed and perhaps Toyota is making the final checks for the rumored return of the Celica. While exact specifications have yet to be revealed, the publication estimated that it could produce upwards of 400 PS and will likely be paired with the brand's GR-Four AWD system which is currently seeing use in the GR Yaris and GR Corolla hot hatchbacks.

With the Celica being synonymous with rally racing, it's no surprise that Toyota is apparently bringing back the nameplate. The engine will supposedly be a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder although no other details about the powertrain were revealed. Even the vehicle's design has yet to be made public although unconfirmed reports stated that it will reportedly retain the low-slung coupe silhouette like the past generations.

So when can we expect the rumored Toyota Celica to make its triumphant return? Based on information gathered by Best Car, a concept version will supposedly be revealed at the 2025 Tokyo Auto Salon. This means a production version may not be too far from Toyota's timeline.

With the company finding success in the GR Yaris, GR Corolla, GR Supra, and to an extent the GR 86, bringing back the Celica as a Gazoo Racing model could prove to be a masterstroke for Toyota, especially with the brand committing to making internal combustion engines (ICEs) for the foreseeable future.