Toyota confirms Celica return with 2027 rally car debut

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 3 Nov, 23:50 · Archive

Toyota has confirmed the Celica nameplate will return in the World Rally Championship in 2027.

Toyota Gazoo Racing has confirmed it will field a new GR Celica Rally1 in the 2027 World Rally Championship season, marking the first official confirmation of the Celica nameplate's return. The car will compete alongside the existing GR Yaris Rally1.

While the announcement concerns a competition vehicle, it adds weight to speculation that Toyota is preparing a production sports car under the Celica name. The decision appears to settle years of speculation over whether Toyota would revive the Celica or the MR2, another iconic sports car nameplate.

The production Celica could be considerably different from its predecessors. Toyota has been developing a mid-engined sports car for several years, initially shown as the GR Yaris M Concept at the 2025 Tokyo Auto Salon. A heavily disguised prototype was later spotted testing at Fuji Speedway in Japan, featuring a low-slung coupe body with large air intakes behind the doors, consistent with a mid-engine layout.

It remains unclear whether the production car will share its name and styling with the new rally contender.

Toyota confirms Celica return with 2027 rally car debut — Image: Perth Now

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How it is being reported

New Toyota Celica rally car confirmed, production model expected to followToyota has confirmed the Celica's return, with a new production sports car expected to follow its 2027 rally debut.Perth Now · 3 Nov, 23:20
New Toyota Celica rally car confirmed, production model expected to followToyota has confirmed the Celica's return, with a new production sports car expected to follow its 2027 rally debut.The West Australian · 3 Nov, 23:20

In this story: Toyota · Toyota Gazoo Racing · World Rally Championship · Fuji Speedway · Japan · Tokyo Auto Salon

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