The automotive world is abuzz with excitement as Toyota Chairman Akio Toyoda recently dropped a tantalizing hint at the possible revival of the iconic Toyota Celica. Speaking at the Rally Hokkaido event, Toyoda alluded to a new vehicle in development, sparking speculations among enthusiasts and industry insiders alike.
The Rally Hokkaido event featured a special guest, none other than the former World Rally Champion Juha Kankkunen. Kankkunen, who clinched his last championship title in 1993 behind the wheel of a turbocharged Celica GT-Four, holds a special place in Celica history. Toyoda acknowledged this connection, saying, “I’m not just saying this because we’re at a rally event, but Kankkunen is Mr. Celica. He was champion four times in the Celica. Now you can all have a think about why I’m using Kankkunen so much. See if you can guess!”
While Toyoda stopped short of explicitly naming the upcoming vehicle as the Celica, his words have set the rumor mill in motion, and fans of the iconic sports coupe are eagerly awaiting further developments.
This isn’t the first time that Toyota’s top executives have hinted at the return of the Celica. In May 2023, Toyoda openly expressed his love for the model, and Toyota’s current CEO, Koji Sato, enthusiastically responded by saying, “I want to revive the Celica.” Sato, who previously led Toyota’s performance division, Gazoo Racing, certainly has the credentials to spearhead such a project.
Rumors of a Celica revival have been circulating for some time. Japanese magazine Best Car, known for its reliable insights into Toyota’s future plans, reported that a Celica revival was “possible.” According to a company insider, “If we were to start now, it would be a [battery-electric] sports coupe. A modern updated design would be powerful, while adding the image of the Celica of yesteryear.”
However, there’s another intriguing twist to this story. A Best Car report from 2021 suggested that Toyota was working on a Celica equipped with a hydrogen-fueled internal-combustion engine. This aligns with Toyota’s ongoing commitment to hydrogen technology, exemplified by the hydrogen-fueled GR Corolla racing car used as a testbed.
The Toyota Celica holds a special place in the hearts of enthusiasts and collectors. This Japanese sports car was a symbol of style, performance, and reliability during its impressive 36-year production run, spanning from 1970 to 2006. If Toyota decides to breathe new life into this legendary nameplate, it could mark the return of an icon to the automotive world.
As we eagerly await more concrete details from Toyota, it’s clear that the possibility of a new Celica has ignited the passions of automotive enthusiasts everywhere. Whether it’s electric or hydrogen-powered, a modern Celica would undoubtedly carry forward the legacy of its predecessors and capture the hearts of a new generation of sports car enthusiasts. Stay tuned for further updates on what could be a thrilling revival of the Toyota Celica.
Sources
- https://toyotatimes.jp/en/toyota_news/1043_1.html#anchorTitles
- https://carbuzz.com/news/toyota-celica-may-be-making-a-comeback
- https://www.motortrend.com/news/new-toyota-celica-sports-car-akio-toyoda/
- https://www.drive.com.au/news/toyota-chairman-drops-biggest-hint-at-celica-revival/
Leave a Reply