Enthusiasts Rejoice, The Celica is Back! Toyota Exec Confirms Revival of Beloved Nameplate

Rumours have been swirling around the internet for years now regarding the return of the Celica, but the wait is over as Toyota Vice President, Hiroki Nakajima, reports that they’re building the next-gen Celica!

Nakajima was at last week’s WRC Rally Japan when he was asked by Best Car if the Celica would be making a return, he answered, "To be honest, there’s nothing tangible at the moment. However, there’s a strong demand within the company for the Celica. So... is it okay to say this publicly? We’re doing the Celica!"

There aren’t many details shared regarding its release date or specifications but the Vice President hinted at an early release next year.

Some speculate the addition of an all-wheel drive system for the highest trim, while the traditional front engine, front wheel drive setup is left for the base model. 

Toyota also unveiled that they’re building two new engines, codenamed X15 and X20. The X20 is a 2.0 liter turbocharged four cylinder, which according to CarWatch, makes a whopping 400 PS for street usage and 600PS for racing. Hinting that this engine would not only be used in the new Celica, but also the rumoured 4th gen MR2.The X15 is a 1.5 liter engine that can be turbocharged or kept naturally aspirated, it’s supposed to rival the current 2.5 liter hybrids if paired with electrification. 

Currently, all specifications of the Celica are just speculation, but this has really shown Toyota’s ambition to bring back their legendary nameplates from the grave. The MR2 seems to be next on the list for confirmation, though there isn't any evidence. Maybe we’ll even see the Chaser or Soarer make a comeback from this, but that’s just wishful thinking.

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Read More: Next-Gen Toyota MR2 rumoured: 400 PS AWD beast with 2.0T engine coming 2026

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