Toyota revives the Celica with high-performance GR badge
Toyota recently filed a trademark for the GR Celica nameplate, hinting at the sports car legend's exciting return.
Toyota has officially confirmed the return of the iconic Celica, and a new trademark filing suggests it will carry the performance-focused GR branding, CarScoops reported. With reports pointing to a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine pushing 400 horsepower and potential all-wheel drive, the next-generation Celica could be one of Toyota's most exciting sports cars in years.
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A new chapter for the Celica
The Celica was last produced in 2006, leaving a void in Toyota’s lineup for a lightweight, enthusiast-focused coupe. However, rumors of its revival have circulated for years, and in November 2024, Toyota finally put speculation to rest. At a public event in Japan, Vice President Yuki Nakajima confirmed, “We’re doing the Celica.”
The recent trademark filing for the GR Celica name in Brazil suggests Toyota is preparing to launch the model in multiple markets. While details remain scarce, its availability will likely depend on emissions regulations and Toyota’s broader global strategy.
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GR performance and powertrain possibilities
Toyota’s Gazoo Racing division has built a reputation for developing thrilling, track-capable cars like the GR Supra, GR86, GR Yaris, and GR Corolla. The addition of the GR Celica to this lineup suggests Toyota is positioning it as a serious performance model rather than a simple revival of an old nameplate. We’re looking at you, Mitsubishi Eclipse. Toyota
The most exciting rumors center around a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing up to 400 horsepower. If these reports hold true, the GR Celica would significantly outperform its predecessor and compete with modern sports cars. Additionally, it may adopt Toyota’s rally-proven GR-Four all-wheel-drive system found in the GR Yaris and GR Corolla, offering both straight-line speed and enhanced handling capabilities.
There’s no official word yet on whether the new Celica will offer a manual transmission, but given how well the manual GR Supra sold last year, we wouldn’t be surprised. Toyota told Motor1 that 65% of all Supras sold in 2024 were bought with a manual gearbox, up from 43% the year before.
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Front-engine or mid-engine?
Historically, the Celica has always been a front-engine coupe, but recent reports suggest Toyota may break from tradition. Speculation about a mid-engine layout has grown following Toyota’s development of a mid-engined GR Yaris prototype, initially believed to preview the next MR2.
Japanese publication Best Car recently suggested that Toyota may consolidate development efforts by making the Celica and MR2 successors the same vehicle. This approach would make sense from an engineering and cost perspective, but it contradicts Toyota's hints that a separate MR2-inspired model is also in the works.
Final thoughts
While Toyota has not provided an official launch timeline, more details are expected later this year. In the meantime, the automaker continues its focus on high-performance development, including the GR Yaris M Concept's upcoming racing debut in the Super Taikyu Series in July 2025.
If Toyota successfully brings back the Celica with the rumored specs, it could be one of the most exciting sports car revivals in recent memory. Enthusiasts worldwide, including us, will be eagerly watching for more news on the GR Celica’s official reveal.
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