The Japanese automaker is about to conclude a year full of tidal waves of introductions. However, no one really wants them to stop – especially the rumor mill and the imaginative realm of digital car content creators.
A lot of reports are discussing the way Toyota will push forward in 2024 after such a massive roster of reveals – the Corolla Cross Hybrid, Prius Prime plug-in hybrid, Grand Highlander, N400 Tacoma, 2024 Land Cruiser, 2025 Camry, and 2025 Crown Signia, to name a few. Some rumors only have eyes for the crossovers and SUVs like the next RAV4 or the upcoming 4Runner, while others only have ears for little compact pickup trucks like the Scout revival.
Some, on the other hand, would love to see Toyota further expand its roster of passenger cars in general and the GR lineup in particular. Thanks to numerous concepts, there have been ample discussions about the Japanese company thinking about the comeback of significant nameplates like the MR2 or the Celica. Speaking of the latter, this moniker was used for a series of automobiles from the sports car class with different powertrains and body styles: convertibles, liftbacks, coupés, and notchback coupés with two or three doors.
Well, Toyota certainly had a lot of time to play with the Celica as the model was produced and sold across seven generations between 1971 and 2006, with the nameplate also known for its legendary rallying prowess. Alas, it has been almost two decades since its demise, and many folks now think it could make a glorious comeback. At least, if that doesn't happen in the real world, the parallel universes of vehicular CGI are certainly up for the task.
More precisely, there's an entire quartet of channels on YouTube and their resident pixel masters trying to bring back the two or three-door Japanese sports car. First, in the order we embedded the relevant video features comes Next-Gen Car with their resident pixel master looking ready to bring to life a classically proportioned and styled coupe that seems adept at rocking a mid-engine powertrain setup in a bid to satisfy all desires.
Secondly, the Car Review Channel's virtual artist imagined a futuristic Toyota Celica that doesn't need ICE power anymore and would prefer to embrace the novel EV lifestyle in a bid to become GR lineup's new flagship and a true competitor for the upcoming Porsche 718 Boxster and Cayman EVs. Whether or not a Celica deserves to sit above the GR Supra is a matter for additional debate, right?
Thirdly, the good folks over at CarsVision decided the reborn model could be named Toyota Celica Sport to signal it's something else rather than just another GR model. It also feels inspired by current models like the GR Supra – especially at the back – but with a unique design treatment, unlike any other Toyota currently on the market. And it, too, has vents on the sides, signaling that it might go toe-to-toe with the C8 Corvette Stingray if allowed.
Last but not least, there's REC Trends and their 2025 Toyota GR Celica unofficial design project that aims to make this potential comeback the "hottest car of the decade." That is undoubtedly a tall order if you want our two cents on the matter; hence, the Grand Tourer looks coupled with options to clad the sports car in carbon fiber. So, which of these four versions is your digital favorite?
Aurel has aimed high all his life (literally, at 16 he was flying gliders all by himself) so in 2006 he switched careers and got hired as a writer at his favorite magazine. Since then, his work has been published both by print and online outlets, most recently right here, on autoevolution. Full profile
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