--- title: "A Toyota Exec Just Confirmed the Celica’s Revival" date: "2024-11-25" modified: "2024-11-25" authors: - name: "Nico DeMattia" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/nico-demattia" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/a-toyota-exec-just-confirmed-the-celicas-revival" categories: - "News" - "News by Brand" - "Toyota News" tags: - "celica" - "Coupe" - "GR86" - "sports car" - "Toyota" --- # A Toyota Exec Just Confirmed the Celica’s Revival ![]() *\Toyota, The Drive\* Rumors have been swirling about a [Toyota]() Celica revival for about a year, but it seems that it's finally been confirmed—or at least as close to confirmed as we're going to get, before seeing any actual pictures of the car. While speaking on stage at the WRC Rally Japan, Toyota Vice President Yuki Nakajima told a crowd of attendees that an eighth-generation Celica is in the works. "To be honest, there is no sign of it right now," the executive reportedly said, per Japanese outlet *[Best Car]()*, translated into English. "However, there are many people within the company who are eagerly awaiting the Celica. So ... I'm not sure if it's okay to say this in a public forum, but we're doing the Celica!" The translation isn't exact, of course, but *Best Car* is reporting this as proof that a new Celica is on the way. This news comes only a couple of weeks after the Celica's revival was [teased in a Toyota anime web series](), in which a whiteboard showing future plans had "Celica Mk8" written on it. And while there have also been previous rumors of an electric Toyota sports car, with both the Celica and MR2 names thrown around, it seems Toyota is sticking with internal combustion for this one. ![]() **Toyota USA via YouTube** When asked about the next-generation [GR86](), and what sort of engine it would have, Nakajima suggested that Toyota will be building one instead of borrowing another brand's. The inspiration reportedly came from asking Toyota Chairman Akio Toyoda what his favorite engines were. According to Nakajima, the answers were Subaru's boxer engine and Mazda's rotary engine. The lack of a Toyota engine in Toyoda's response was said to have lit a fire in the bellies of the brand's engineers. "This inspired all of Toyota's engine developers. We will create an engine that Morizo ​​will \[not\] want to leave behind. It's not a matter of whether we can release it or not, or whether we will leave it behind or not, but we are going to release it!" If Toyota is developing a new engine for the GR86, it could be the same engine used in the upcoming Celica, since it would likely be unwise to develop two new engines. That could also hint that the Celica will return to its rear-wheel drive roots, as it would make more sense for both cars to use one powertrain, instead of the same engine in both transverse and longitudinal layouts. This news also comes just weeks after Toyota re-registered the "Celica" nameplate, in a patent filing found by Australia's [*Drive*](). Car companies often trademark names to future-proof them in case the brand decides to explore production one day. However, the timing is ironic. Toyota's execs didn't provide any other info about the Celica's future, such as whether it will be front- or rear-wheel drive. What's more, a representative from presumably the company's North American arm told *[Car and Driver]()* in a story published today that it "does not comment on future products." Details are indeed slim, but for now, just having the strongest of indications yet that the Celica is coming back will have to suffice. *Got tips? Send 'em to tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Nico is a writer and reviewer from New Jersey who probably thinks he’s a lot funnier than he actually is. His love of cars began when he was just a kid playing Gran Turismo 3, grinding out enough race wins with a Mazda Miata to save up for an in-game RUF 911. That passion for small, lightweight sports cars drove his desire to learn more about the industry, get his hands on as many cars as he could, and bring those experiences to life on the page. He cut his teeth writing about BMWs, Volkswagens, and Audis, mostly, and has owned far too many of each. He’s on his fourth 3 Series sedan, but all of his old, cheap German cars have forced him to learn more about car maintenance than his mechanical capability can handle. Too many late nights have been spent scrambling to get a car running by morning so he could get to work. For some reason, he never seems to learn that old Bimmers probably aren’t the best daily drivers. But he loves more than just old German cars. He’ll gladly drive and discuss anything with four (or even three) wheels. Cars aren’t his only passions, though. Nico is also a big nerd and loves movies, video games, comic books, and cares far too much about the New York Giants. So don’t be surprised if you see football references or dumb, obscure movie quotes in any of his car reviews. ### Author social links [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()