After months of speculation and teasing, Toyota has officially confirmed that the Celica nameplate will return, though initially limited to the world rally stage rather than public roads. The automaker announced on Tuesday that its new GR Celica will compete in the 2027 World Rally Championship (WRC), reuniting one of its most recognizable badges with the series.
The GR Celica will be fielded under Toyota's new Toyota Racing banner, running alongside a separate Gazoo Racing team that will campaign the next-generation GR Yaris. Both vehicles are being developed to meet the WRC's new technical regulations for 2027 and are expected to feature equal power and performance levels. Development is taking place at Toyota's rally headquarters in Jyväskylä, Finland, with homologation anticipated to be completed before the end of 2026.
The driver lineup for the upcoming season has also been revealed. Elfyn Evans, Oliver Solberg, and Sami Pajari are set to pilot the GR Celica. Meanwhile, the GR Yaris team will be represented by Ott Tänak, Takamoto Katsuta, and Kalle Rovanperä.
Although this announcement does not explicitly confirm a production model, it lends significant credibility to rumors that Toyota is working on a new road-going sports car. The company has been dropping hints about the vehicle's return for some time, including sightings earlier this year of a mysterious two-door prototype testing in Portugal. This prototype featured coupe-like proportions distinct from the GR Yaris, with additional track tests providing further glimpses since then.
While nothing guarantees that a production Celica is imminent, the decision to revive the nameplate for the 2027 rally program serves as an encouraging sign for enthusiasts hoping for the return of the iconic sports car.
Sources: Motor1.