New Toyota Celica To Be An AWD Hybrid Coupe Based On Corolla Bones

Toyota is tirelessly working on an expanded Gazoo Racing lineup designed to attract the attention of driving enthusiasts. With the return of the Celica having been officially confirmed, the latest reports draw the image of a front-engine AWD coupe with a hybrid powertrain that could share its underpinnings with the next Corolla.

The Celica Sport, as it is being referred to, (although Toyota has also trademarked the GR Celica moniker) will be joined by a mid-engine sports car that could revive the MR2 moniker. The automaker is also developing new generations of the GR 86 and GR Supra positioned under the GR GT flagship supercar.

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According to a new report by Autocar, the underpinnings of the Celica are expected to be closely linked to the upgraded multi-energy platform of the next Corolla. This follows the recipe of previous generations while ensuring commercial viability and more reasonable production costs compared to a bespoke architecture. The confirmed AWD layout and a sportier chassis setup are enough to sharpen the driving dynamics of the coupe compared to the FWD sedan.

Our speculative rendering of the upcoming Toyota Celica Sport.

The reborn Celica will be powered by a new turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, currently being tested by the mid-engined GR Yaris M prototype. The G20E unit will likely be part of a self-charging hybrid setup, replacing Gazoo Racing’s current turbo 1.6-liter three-cylinder engine that might be phased out due to stricter emission regulations. Toyota has revealed that the upcoming 2.0-liter is good for 400 hp in roadgoing form and capable of more than 600 hp in motorsport flavor.

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In terms of market positioning, a Corolla-based Toyota Celica makes for a fitting rival to the Civic-based Honda Prelude. However, the GR-tuned model will likely be more focused on performance than long-distance comfort.

Furthermore, Toyota will reportedly offer the option between a six-speed manual and an eight-speed automatic mated to a standard rally-bred AWD system borrowed from the GR Corolla, further distinguishing it from the simulated gearshifts and FWD layout of the Honda. This layout could also be the main point of differentiation with the RWD-only Toyota GR 86.

Illustrations: Thanos Pappas for CarScoops

Besides the production Celica Sport, Gazoo Racing is readying a rally version that could replace the GR Yaris in the WRC. Despite sharing the same name and some styling traits, the rally car will be entirely different under the skin, as dictated by regulations. A camouflaged prototype was spotted testing on WRC stages earlier this year revealing a mid-engine layout and an aggressive aero package.

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Toyota has yet to share any teasers or sketches of the Celica Sport, but we tried to envision its exterior design in a speculated rendering. Our take adopts a two-door coupe stance combining the styling language introduced by the new Corolla concept with sporty cues from Gazoo Racing. The automaker could also add references to previous generations of the Celica, with the silhouette of the ST165 appearing in an early cryptic teaser back in 2024.

Without an official date on the horizon, we can only assume that the Toyota Celica Sport will be unveiled over the next couple of years, hopefully arriving to dealerships as a 2028 MY.