After years of swirling rumors and speculative headlines, Toyota has officially confirmed the return of the iconic Celica nameplate. The announcement was made by Toyota’s Executive Vice President, Yuki Nakajima, during a public event at Toyota Stadium held alongside Rally Japan.
The revelation came as a surprise. When Toyota Chairman Akio Toyoda was asked directly about the possibility of a new Celica, he cleverly sidestepped the question, passing it to Nakajima instead. As reported by the Japanese publication Best Car, Nakajima candidly responded:
“To be honest, there’s no sign of it right now. However, many within the company are eagerly anticipating Celica. So … I’m not sure if it’s okay to say this in a public forum, but we’re bringing back the Celica!”
The Celica was a mainstay in Toyota’s lineup from 1970 to 2006, spanning seven generations. According to unverified reports from Japan, the eighth-generation Celica could debut as early as the 2025 Tokyo Auto Salon. However, it’s speculated that this unveiling might take the form of a concept car rather than a production-ready model.
Related: Remembering the ST185 Toyota Celica GT-Four
Interestingly, Toyota may have subtly hinted at the Celica’s revival weeks before the official confirmation. In the GRIP anime series, a teaser appeared featuring a background board that seemed to outline Toyota’s future sports car lineup. The board listed intriguing updates, including the Supra MK6, Celica MK8, MR2 MK4, GR 86 MK3, and the GR GT3.
With the Celica making a comeback, whispers of an MR2 revival, and updates on the horizon for the GR86, Toyota appears determined to recapture the golden era of its sports car legacy. Let’s just hope these plans materialize and aren’t merely empty promises.
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