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Virtual rendering rekindles interest in a Celica comeback
A new fan rendering of the revived Toyota GR Celica is making the rounds online, showing how the iconic nameplate could return as an accessible mid-engine sports car. The visualization, created by artist Evren Ozgun (Spy Sketch) and shared on YouTube, blends classic Celica proportions with Toyota's current design language — including a bZ-inspired front fascia — to produce a compact, athletic profile.
What the rendering shows
The imagined GR Celica in the video appears curvaceous and aggressive, with several modern touches:
- Smooth, flowing proportions and a sloping roofline
- Vents behind the front wheels and pronounced muscular shoulders
- Thin LED taillights, a ducktail spoiler and a diffuser
- Dual round tailpipes and red-accented V-spoke alloy wheels
- Celica script on the trunk lid and a white/red paint scheme for contrast
One notable inaccuracy
Despite the faithful styling cues, the visualization places the engine at the front. That detail clashes with recent industry reports saying Toyota plans to make the next GR Celica a rear mid-engined car — a key distinction meant to separate it from the forthcoming GR Supra.
Technical rumors and lineup strategy
According to multiple Japanese outlets, Toyota is developing a new 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that could be used across both the next-gen GR Supra and GR Celica. The reports suggest different calibration and drivetrain packaging between the two models rather than identical mechanical layouts.
Key speculative highlights:
- Engine: New 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (shared architecture)
- GR Celica: Rear mid-engine, likely all-wheel drive, around 400 hp (reported)
- GR Supra: Front-engine, rear-wheel drive, potential hybrid assistance pushing output near 500 hp
- Launch timing: Supra could debut around 2027, Celica potentially following in 2028
If accurate, Toyota's approach would keep the Supra closer to its traditional front-engine RWD character, while positioning the Celica as a more compact, mid-engine alternative — appealing to buyers looking for sharper handling and a different driving dynamic.
Positioning: affordable sports cars and market context
Toyota appears to be aiming for a spectrum of sports-car experiences rather than overlapping products. A mid-engined GR Celica with roughly 400 hp and minimal electrification would compete in a niche that values pure driving feel and relative affordability versus increasingly expensive hybrid or fully electric performance cars.
Why that matters:
- Broadens Toyota Gazoo Racing's portfolio with distinct driving personalities
- Offers an option for buyers who want a mid-engine layout without high hybrid complexity or cost
- Preserves the Supra’s heritage while introducing fresh technology and platforms
What to expect next
There is still ample time before any production announcement, and official specifications or final designs may differ significantly from fan art. The rendering is useful as a conversation starter, but Toyota's production Celica — if confirmed — will reflect engineering choices tied to cost, performance targets and regulatory requirements.
"The real Celica will likely look different than this concept image," industry sources caution, but the sketch highlights the appetite for a mid-engine, driver-focused Toyota sports car.
Highlights:
- Rendering by Evren Ozgun mixes classic Celica cues with modern Toyota styling
- Reported plans point to a shared 2.0-liter engine, different outputs and drivetrain layouts for Supra and Celica
- Targeted arrival window: Supra ~2027, Celica ~2028
Whether Toyota will bring back an affordable, combustion-focused mid-engine GR Celica remains to be seen, but the discussion underscores the continuing demand for accessible sports cars in the global market.
Source: autoevolution
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