We would have told you no if you had asked us two months ago if Toyota intends to revive the Celica nameplate. However, a few things have changed since then, as the brand’s head honcho hinted such a model.
Akio Toyoda said last fall that he would like to see a brand-new Celica in Toyota's lineup, yet the final decision is not his. And while that's hardly a confirmation, it's not a denial either, so the Japanese automaker could be onto something.
The new-age Celica then came back under the spotlight a few weeks before the Winter Holidays courtesy of a report that spoke about it potentially acting as a replacement for the GR86. And since it would be all about the future, then a battery-electric construction could be on the cards.
Fans of the MR2 shouldn't be worried about the rumored new-gen Celica burying this model, as it might be sold alongside it. And just for kicks, we'll remind you that the next MR2 will supposedly feature a battery-electric platform as well, which would also make it futureproof.
Photo: Screenshot Youtube | A1 Cars
The last time we heard about the Celica in an official environment was in the first half of 2006 when Toyota pulled the plug on it. By then, the model was in the seventh generation, featuring a front-engine and front-wheel drive layout and sharing its platform with the era's Prius, Corolla, Avensis, RAV4, and a whole bunch of other vehicles.
Over the last 18 years, numerous rumors spoke about its possible revival, fueling multiple rendering artists to come up with various unofficial designs. The one we covered nearly a year ago had a Supra-like body and came with a face comparable to that of the latest-gen Prius. As for the latest, which came from A1 Cars on YouTube, it follows a similar recipe.
It is clear that the rendering artist used the GR Supra's body to come up with these digital illustrations, modifying the front and rear ends of the car and the profile to some extent to make it look more modern. It still has a pointy nose, and from certain angles, it kind of sends Lexus vibes. Mind you, this CGI model would be worthy of the Supra moniker more than the Celica, but hey, it is what it is.
For what it's worth, it is an appealing proposal, especially since it eschews the crossover trend, as we think the car world needs more low-slung models, regardless of the body style. But could a potentially new Celica convince you to kick that high-riding vehicle out of bed for it? And do you think this unofficial styling does justice to the nameplate? Let us know your thoughts about it in the comments section below.
After a series of unfortunate events put an end to Cristian's dream of entering a custom built & tuned old-school Dacia into a rally competition, he moved on to drive press cars and write for a living. He's worked for several automotive online journals and now he's back at autoevolution after his first tour in the mid-2000s. Full profile
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