Toyota Celica is coming to rival Nissan GT-R

Toyota’s project that excites car enthusiasts, Toyota Celica, has slowly begun to take shape. While the legendary Celica name is preparing to return to the world of sports cars, many new information has come to light, from technical details to design clues. The model, whose development code is “710D”, is aimed to offer not only nostalgia but also a driving experience that is the product of advanced engineering.

Toyota Celica will attract attention with its design

Although the design of the new GR Celica has not yet been officially announced, the clues that emerge in the light of the information obtained are quite striking. In particular, the change made to the A-pillar structure will redefine driver ergonomics. Thanks to this structure that focuses on increasing visibility, both ends of the windshield will be more rounded and the A-pillar will be positioned backwards. In this way, a sharper and safer driving opportunity will be offered without obstructing the driver’s line of sight on bends.

In addition, the architecture of the A-pillar, described as “surprisingly standing upright”, is important in terms of both aerodynamic efficiency and structural strength.

GR Celica will be offered in two different versions: “RZ” and a “race-based” class adapted to motorsports. This race version is expected to carry the “RC” name used in GR Yaris. Both classes will be structured in a way that will differentiate them in terms of driving dynamics.

Initially planned to come with only 6-speed manual transmission (iMT), GR Celica will also be offered with the newly developed 8-speed automatic (Direct AT – DAT) transmission option according to the latest information. It is estimated that a more advanced version of this new automatic system, tested in GR Yaris and GR Corolla, will be used in GR Celica.

How will it perform?

For those looking for a pure sports car, GR Celica comes with a powerful gasoline engine without a hybrid system. The 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine will produce 400 horsepower and 56.1 kgm of torque. This engine is expected to be supported by a four-wheel drive (4WD) system with a midship architecture. This structure will increase cornering performance and provide maximum stability on the track and on the street.

Toyota aims to optimize the vehicle’s performance-to-load ratio by using lightweight but durable materials such as carbon fiber in the structure of the GR Celica. Just like the GRMN Yaris, the hood and roof will be made of carbon fiber. An interesting detail is that the spare tires will be located under the front hood, while the engine and luggage will be located in the rear section.

In addition, a single-deck rear structure will be preferred instead of a double deck in the body design. It is stated that this preference was made in order to increase the vehicle’s body rigidity and improve aerodynamics.

The first prototype is planned to be shown at the Tokyo Auto Salon in January 2027. It was initially expected to go on sale in spring 2027, but with the latest updates, the official release date has been confirmed as April 2028. Although this means a delay of almost a year, it does indicate that the commercial version of the vehicle will meet the consumer in a more refined form.

GR Celica Expected Technical Specifications