The Celica will return as a turbocharged, all-wheel-drive coupe with a hybrid powertrain.
Toyota’s performance division, Gazoo Racing, confirmed the revival of the nameplate. The upcoming Celica Sport will feature an all-wheel-drive layout, reflecting the model’s rally heritage. Earlier generations used front-wheel or rear-wheel drive, but the new version will focus on performance and handling.
Hybrid powertrain with a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine
Under the hood, the Celica Sport will use a hybrid system built around a new turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, internally called the G20E. Toyota previously showcased this engine in concepts like the mid-engined GR Yaris M, indicating its importance to the brand’s performance plans.
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Mikio Hayashi, Gazoo Racing’s marketing manager, explained that emissions regulations drove the shift to a larger engine. The current 1.6-liter unit in models like the GR Corolla may not comply with future standards. “The displacement size of 1.6 liters cannot meet emission regulations,” Hayashi stated. “So we have to consider the possibility of a 2.0-liter.”
Toyota has not finalized whether the Celica Sport will use a conventional hybrid or plug-in hybrid system, though a hybrid setup is confirmed. The powertrain will likely appear in other Gazoo Racing models, including potential updates to the GR Corolla and GR Yaris.
Rally roots and future WRC ambitions
Speculation about the Celica’s return grew after Toyota unveiled a new WRC rally car prototype. Recent sightings of a camouflaged prototype testing in Europe reinforced expectations that the Celica Sport will support the brand’s motorsport efforts.
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The revival arrives as Toyota expands its GR lineup, which raises questions about the Celica Sport’s place alongside models like the Supra and GR86. Rumors suggested the next-generation Toyota 86 might share underpinnings with the Mazda Miata, but the Celica Sport’s arrival complicates that idea.
Toyota has not disclosed pricing or availability. The hybrid powertrain and rally-inspired design suggest the Celica Sport will not be a budget model, though its exact market position remains unclear. The nameplate’s return signals Toyota’s effort to balance performance goals with modern emissions requirements.
Testing continues, and Toyota has not set an official debut date. For now, the only certainty is that the Celica is back—and it will combine turbocharged power with hybrid efficiency.
