Toyota planning Celica GT-Four revival?

By George Skentzos | February 04th, 2008

It is already widely known that Toyota and Subaru have been collaborating to produce a boxer-powered spiritual successor to the cult-classic AE86 rear-drive Corolla Sprinter of the 1980s. Now the rumours are extending to a resurrection of the all-wheel-drive Celica GT-Four.

Current speculation indicates the next-generation GT-Four could feature an STi-spec 224kW turbocharged boxer engine coupled with the standard AWD setup.

Accompanying the GT-Four model Celica will also be a cheaper GT model which would confirm earlier reports of an AE86 revival, featuring a naturally aspirated 2.0-litre engine and rear-wheel drive with a price target under US$20,000.

To avoid competing with the current Impreza range, both the GT and high-performance GT-Four models with be available as either a coupe or three-door hatch.

This will be the second joint effort between the brands since Toyota bought a stake in Subaru early last year, and will certainly help reinvent Toyota’s reputation as a performance car brand, something it has not been seen as since the days of the Supra.

Source: MotorAuthority

http://navelcontemplation.blogspot.com Supercujo

Please, please, please make this car.

The AE86 was so much fun to drive, and the GT-Four was just insane. Make it happen.
Bubba Ganush

As long as it doesnt look like that supra shoehorn concept
Mr Funk

Build it, get it out the door ASAP, and have it a year or two old when my HSV is paid for please Toyota
Wheelnut

If Toyota going to re-introduce the Celica.. they better do it before the new Hyundai coupe is released..

Since Toyota axed the silly car; the Hyundai S Coupe and Tiburon has become one of the more popular medium sized sports coupes around and the new Genesis coupe looks to be even more so
Lcat

sounds like an identity crisis in the making. It wont be heart and soul (solely) Toyota
TP

Wheelnut the Tiburon is not even in the same ballpark as the Celica and on the other hand, the Genesis is in a completely different ballpark. Would be a good move by Toyota I think, enhance their image and making a killing in sales at the same time.
Captain Mainwaring

A boxer-engined car with a Toyota badge is unthinkable, there wouldn’t be a drunk enough marketing guru in the Ginza to dream that one up. But a GT-Four revival isn’t that silly, provided that it was a better-looking effort than the earlier series of pigs.
Wheelnut

I know that…. However; my point was that the Celica was the iconic sports car of its kind yet since it’s been gone there are a number of other cars which; when the celica was available wasn’t considered to be a rival yet since than have improved in terms of design reliability and performance etc – the Hyundai is one example.

Therefore inorder to regain its cult status the new celica will have to be something special to set it apart from the rest..

as during that time some former Celica fans may have become Hyundai fans
BoB

The last Celica used a Yamaha tuned engine am I right? So using a Subaru engine isn’t that far fetched It doesn’t matter to me at the end of the day what goes in, so long its a great good cheap zippy car, i’ll buy one
s15NZ

Supercujo..talking bout the AE86, more Japanse car makers should introduce small affordable RWD cars/hatches. Theres the BMW 1 series, but who would want to pay that much for such an ugly car. An RWD Corrola, Mazda 3 or Pulsar perhaps (bring back the Gtir as well btw!!).
Jason

I agree with Captain Mainwaring, the car would have to be unbelievably head and shoulders above competitors offerings otherwise it would be laughed out of the park for being a Subaru engine in a Toyota.

Toyota haven’t made a decent sports car in years and this one doesn’t look like it would be a sales success, just how is a salesman going to explain that Toyota is using a Subaru engine? Most buyers would just think, “may as well buy a Subaru”.

Toyota’s previous use of a Yamaha engine is a completely different proposition. Yamaha don’t sell cars and are also a highly respected engine designer, and in spite of all this Toyota didn’t exactly scream and point about the engine’s origin when the last Celica was released.
http://. Naughtyius Maximus

TP………………………….spot on dude. I dont’t need to point out the obvious, as you summed up well.

Like I said Celica is hot and with GT4 turbo it will only get more sales.
http://grandJDM.com Van

The Audi A3 1.8T uses the same engine as my Golf GT, what’s the difference? VAG owns Audi, Toyota owns a portion of Subaru, bla bla. And that’s just one of a dozen examples of crossbred cars these days.
http://grandJDM.com Van

Sorry, I meant to say Golf GTI above.
http://www.importjap.com ImportJap

I would not underestimate this car until it’s built. Good on Toyota for finally deciding to build a new sports turbo 4, it’s about time. Even if they did have to go to Subaru for the motor (and possibly AWD).

While they’re at it, a new Supra please. And AE86 – or just a turbo RWD Corolla
jamison

This is just one of the “shelved” concept I was talking about.

I was a fan of the early 1990s GT4 as well as the AE86.

But just a tid bit, the price of $20,000 USD (under), well thats just for the U.S. The last celica sold here for around 25K US, it sold for almost around 55K in Oz.

Point is, if it does goes to production and it makes Oz (the GT RWD NA engine), roughly 110-120kW. It will cost 35k+.

And a tid bit on the Hyundai, yes the new Genesis looks good, especially thr RWD format, but a concept spec and a production spec is very different, theres going to be a lot of things not going to make production to keep it a viable sports car under the “Hyndai/genesis” name.
Jason

Van I think you overestimate Toyota’s influence on Subaru. I remember reading a news article a few years back in which GM had asked Subaru for permission to use their AWD technology and boxer engine in a car. Subaru freaked out saying “no” and killed that concept quick smart.

Just a few years later GM sold their entire stake in Subaru realising they weren’t gonna get a hold of Subaru’s technology. Back then GM owned 20% of Fuji Heavy Industries. Today Toyota owns only 8.7%, hardly a big enough stake to throw your weight around.
RoFlmaTiC

Jason – Perhaps there would be buyers that want Subaru performance without the boy-racer image?

This is where I’d imagine this new car would sit.
Flying High

PRAISE BE!!

The perfect combination! Not a fugly Subaru and Not a piss poor Toyota Motor and Drivetrain

Toyota shell design and Suby under the hood and floorplan = a match made in automative heaven!
Anthonii

Looks promising…
Duck

Current Celica looks CRAP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Titan

^^^ There is no such thing as a current Celica…
Anthonii

Duck,

I reckon the latest Celica (which is getting on now) looked good, ‘specially up front.

Highly Unique and simple stylish lines. Previous models that looked like a shortened fat jag were a different story…
realcars

Another Fuglier Celica. The only decent Celica was the TA22 and the only classic model Toyota has ever produced i.e worth restoring. Everything else they have made goes straight to the tip.

TP your’ve got your Toyota coloured glasses on again.

Toyota is better than Tiburon in your opinion you sad moron.

Did Daddy give you the keys to the Widebody last weekend.

Soylent green of the automotive world. Half arse offerings because morons like TP continue to buy whatever bland crap they dish out.
TP

Firstly real cars you twat, there are no pics on here of the new Celica, so your initial comment makes no sense… clearly just here to attack anything Toyota… certainly the AE86 pics which circulated looked very good.

Secondly you are an idiot, you would have to be braindead to think a Tiburon, FWD 140kw trash, would be better then an AWD 150kwish Celica… absolutely braindead. The Tiburon looks alrite now but its still gutless and its still a hyundai.

Lastly, yes Toyota are all bland and offer nothing… yet are the most popular vehicles in the world. You are yet another idiot here who is clueless.

Neeeeeeeeeext…
realcars

Yes TP, march off the cliff with all the other Toyota loving Lemmings.

Accept whatever they offer without question.

I have known some Toyota tragics in my time but you take the cake my friend. Can you name the ugliest Toyota model of all time. No I thought not to many to choose from eh including Celica.
Duck

I meant the latest Celica.
realcars

The ta22 sure was sweet ride.
realcars

Yeah I agree,the last Celica as pictured was fugly. I nearly bought a ta22 years ago. That was a classic they have been unable to emulate since. I reckon a new retro version in the same vain as the Mini or latest Stang would be nice if done properly.
Doom

I’d take a Celica over any of the damned retarded looking Hyundai’s.
http://www.simplygoodhealth.com.au Bobby Keil

Always had a celica, and have been hanging out for years for a funky new model, with the same space, performance but better economy than the 2000 model. not asking too much am I?
Casandra

ImportJap there is a new Supra coming ! go to google and put in 2010 Toyota Supra its sick !

& the new Toyota Celica isnt scheduled to be released until late 2012 and it definitely will be a site to see I guarantee it.
Wheelnut

Casandra – you mean the Car that looks like a Storm troopers helmet that Darth Vader has trodden on?

it’s a concept car that has been around for a couple of years.. its development is currently “On Ice” – as the supra has been for the last 10 years.
Not only that but there are also reports that Toyota are thinking about making it a new Sporty Hybrid [to try and compete witrh the Tesla]
toyotacura

i think it will be a good idea to make a new gt-4 but it have to be 4 wheel drive and need to be more powerful than a little 2.0l N/A except if they do a miracle and they get out more than 250 hp
Legend

You people are all retarded. Toyota is the richest car manufacturer in the world, and it was not too long ago when they were winning rally championships year after year with the gt4, which is a truly awesome car. Both this 3gste and 2jz engines as found in the supra are two of the most tunable engines in the world, and you think toyota has forgotten how to make performance engines already? They only pulled out of the rally championships to focus on F1, but if you think they wont be able to make a strong return to turbo AWD monsters just because theyve been churning out a few prius, you will be in for a rude awakening. Styling on the other hand is a matter of opinion, but I think all celicas and the supra are beautiful.
rikkygt

love the idea of a new celica. all celicas have had there good points and bad. my fave model is the st162 great to drive even to day 22 years after it was made.
who cares if suby supply the moter still be a great car and all ways better than a Hyundai
sallyAngel

hyundai? Really? Have u seen the safety reports of those no matter what the model compared to the celica 2000+…or how it performs in a crash? Well I have…and its not pretty…on the other hand my 2003 Celica saved me in a couple of bad crashes…yes the damages were extensive, but thats the point: cars are replaceable people are not…or at least i thought so till morons in Toyota discontinued making the Celicas…