- Toyota insider claims it will be called the Celica Sport.
- The next GR-badged sports car could have all-wheel drive.
- Power is expected to come from Toyota’s new turbocharged 2.0-liter gasoline engine.
Toyota has been talking about bringing back the Celica for nearly four years. It has been dropping hints ever since, whether through its Grip anime series or by filing trademarks to protect its cherished nameplate. Some dealers have apparently already seen the car behind closed doors, but publicly, it remains a no-show.
While a mysterious sports coupe was spotted testing in Portugal at the end of last month, Toyota never officially identified it as the next Celica. A new report from Autocar cites a company insider who claims the performance model is called the “Celica Sport.” Additionally, a spokesperson quoted by the British magazine said the new Gazoo Racing–branded vehicle has four-wheel drive.
As for what will power the reborn Celica, all signs point to the new “G20E” engine. It’s a four-cylinder, 2.0-liter turbocharged gasoline unit for which engineers have set an output target of more than 400 hp. An uncorked version with a larger turbocharger could exceed 600 hp. However, that level of performance will likely be reserved for a race car that doesn’t have to meet stringent emissions regulations.
The Toyota Celica Sport Could Have Over 400 Horsepower
For a road-legal version, something in the region of 400 hp seems more realistic. Speaking of complying with tightening legislation, the smaller 1.6-liter engine found in the GR Yaris and GR Corolla is, ironically, not a good fit. GR marketing manager Mikio Hayashi told Autocar that the “G16E” fails to meet stricter emissions laws:
‘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. Nothing has been decided yet about whether it will be a standard hybrid or plug-in hybrid.’
This suggests some form of electrification will be included, lowering CO₂ emissions while boosting total output. Of course, that will add complexity and weight, but hybrids are increasingly necessary to keep performance cars alive. Relevant examples include the BMW M5 and the new Audi RS5, with more electrified performance models likely on the way.
In the meantime, Toyota has been testing the new “G20E” engine in a GR Yaris prototype where the four-cylinder sits behind the seats. However, the eighth-generation Celica is expected to remain front-engined like all its predecessors. The 2.0-liter unit is also likely to power a mid-engined sports car that Toyota has already begun testing in prototype form, although the production model is still four to five years away.
The company has previously said its new performance-oriented engine will support a wide range of applications, potentially becoming the backbone of the GR lineup. It’s easy to imagine it in the next-generation GR86, GR Yaris, and GR Corolla, ideally joined by the Celica Sport and a new MR2. Given Toyota’s willingness to talk more openly about the Celica, it will likely be the first to arrive. We may get our first taste when a WRC-spec version debuts, possibly in the coming months ahead of the 2027 season.
Toyota GR Celica Sport rendering by Motor1.com
Photo by: Theophilus Chin | Motor1
Motor1’s Take: Toyota appears determined to revive the Celica. Now that it has spun off Gazoo Racing as a standalone brand, the company aims to expand the lineup in the coming years. The V8-powered GR GT supercar will serve as the six-figure flagship, but more affordable models are on the way.
Developing the new engine as part of a hybrid powertrain gives hope that Toyota’s sports cars will be sold in Europe, where stringent emissions regulations have nearly wiped out mainstream performance vehicles.
