Rumormill: Subaru to build new Toyota Celica
click above for more high-res images of the Toyota FT-HS Concept
The rumor mill is up and running again this week, churning out reports of a new Toyota Celica. While the Toyota line-up once included a variety of sports-coupes, since the cancellation of the Supra, MR2 and Celica, it's had nothing but sedans, hatchbacks, vans and trucks to offer. Rumor has it that a new Celica is on the way, to be built by Subaru, in whose parent company Fuji Heavy Industries Toyota acquired significant stake back in 2005.
If reports out of Japan's BestCar are to be believed, the new Celica will come in two versions: the base GT, with a naturally-aspirated 2-liter Subaru boxer four driving the rear wheels, and a hopped-up GT-Four version with the 300-hp turbo engine from the JDM Impreza STi and all-wheel-drive. The GT-Four could also be a sort of performance hybrid, gaining small electric motors in each of the four wheels. Both the GT and GT-Four are tipped to be available in either two-door or three-door bodystyles, since the Impreza is offered only as a sedan and five-door for this current generation. The new Celica, the styling of which could draw on the FT-HS concept car from last year's Detroit show (pictured above), is reportedly being readied for a launch in Japan next year.
[Source: MotorTrend]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Seoultrain 11:39AM (2/04/2008)
okay seriously? a Celica STi?
Toyota went from the blandest lineup in the world to a 300hp, turbo-boxered Celica? I'll believe it when I see it.
Oh, and you can keep the electric motors.
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Corey W. 11:50AM (2/04/2008)
Clean up the nose a little and that is one bad as ride. And for Pete sake, luxury does not have to equal performance, bring back the Supra as an option (sort of like the Corvette base compared to the ZO6), with the option to minus the luxury crap. Loved the Twin Turbo Toyota Supra (MK-IV) Just never wanted to pay the cost...
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John R 11:55AM (2/04/2008)
Wouldn't a GT-4 eat into STi sales? I'll believe it when I see it also.
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Jake 11:59AM (2/04/2008)
Strangely enough, this idea has potential. I'd buy a 2-door STi. As long as it looks as hot as that concept does, or at least something like it. This could be huge, when you think about it. What's everyone's biggest complaint about the new WRX family? Aesthetics. If Toyota can exploit that, they've got a winner on their hands.
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Threader 12:08PM (2/04/2008)
I just paid top dollar for an 08 STi and I don't want to see my beloved new car basterdized into another Toyota appliance of commonality. I hope this rumoured project dies a quiet death ASAP.
BTW: Toyota has a perfectly fine history of producing decent turboed inline-4's with introduction of the 1988 Celica All-Trac Turbo.
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RidinLow 12:09PM (2/04/2008)
I wonder if there will be SPTRD parts for it?
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Mayur 12:15PM (2/04/2008)
You do realize that Toyota made some of the best performance engines ever? Much better engines than Honda or Nissan and Toyota had a broad lineup of performance engines. Get your facts straight before you go and make ignorant comments.
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Seoultrain 12:41PM (2/04/2008)
that was the past. Toyota's done nothing in their recent history to suggest that they'd sell this kind of car for the American market. I'm not saying it's a bad concept; I'd love for this car to come to market. I just don't believe it's very possible. This would absolutely KILL WRX STi sales.
ryan 12:17PM (2/04/2008)
Toyota still has their Celica, except its better known as the Scion TC.
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stefan 12:24PM (2/04/2008)
@ryan
The scion TC is only sold in the US. japan and europe doesn't have a coupe.
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Majortom1981 12:31PM (2/04/2008)
Thsi would be made by subaru not by toyota. IF this is really true they have atleast one customer .
This cant be a true rumour though because its too good of a rumour.
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boogieDown 12:36PM (2/04/2008)
Threader, how are you liking your 08 Scooby?
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John Johnson 12:39PM (2/04/2008)
No, by the time they begin production of this, the STI will have been softened to the point of including a child seat standard.
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hokiebird 12:40PM (2/04/2008)
The source is MotorTrend so I wouldn't waste too much time on this rumor.
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mk 12:41PM (2/04/2008)
This is going to go one of two ways.
1: It is going to be a toyota, with a bit of subaru...
NO GO. A bland car with a subaru drivetrain is a let down.
2: It is going to be a Subaru with a toyota nameplate on it, like the 93 Probe GT was a Mazda with a ford badge.
In the second case... 300+ turbocharged horsepower, AWD, and Impreza's blend of Legacy-style front suspension, and tribeca/forester 5-link rear suspension...
And AWD would not require electric drive, if, like previous rumors have said, they are using a modified Legacy/Impreza chassis to do this. Subaru AWD is right there for use. And with STI's DCCD, you can have BOTH AWD and RWD, at the flick of a switch.
I have been CLAMORING for a fastback hatch Subaru sport coupe. If this car IS that car, with a "T" on it, rather than the pleiades oval... I'll still buy it.
I probably would have bought a WRX with a SAAB badge on it, too, if I were looking for an impreza turbo wagon, the SAAB 9'2X Aero looked better at it.
And you had better believe that it is getting ordered with World Rally Blue Pearl paint, and getting subaru badges the first day it's in my garage. Toyota, my rear diff. This car is a SUBARU!
I just hope Toyota doesn't make it fugly, like the new Camry, Corrola, and Matrix all are. The last Celica was decent, but the celicas before that were not. The MR2 Spyder didn't look nearly as slick as the 2nd Gen junior ferrari.
Now THERE is an idea for a RWD subaru powered Toyota. A resurrection of the mid-engined ferrari-junior-style MR2 Turbo, with mid-engined STI turbo boxer power from Subaru, and half the price of the Cayman S, and more powerful.
Hell, If I could do the work, I'd buy a used MR2 coupe and do that engine swap, if it would fit.
Anyway, back on topic.
If Toyota miraculously does this right, I will buy one, and re-badge it back to it's Subaru roots. If they do it wrong, it will be yet another FAIL for Toyota, and Subaru. Subaru should have enough sense to sell an Impreza coupe anyway.
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naggs 11:35PM (2/04/2008)
probe GT was a much better car than the mazda
best handling fwd car of its day
Alex 12:41PM (2/04/2008)
And here i thought Toyota was going to kill the appeal of Subarus. Looks like they went the other direction. Awesome!
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Adrian 12:50PM (2/04/2008)
I for one am extremely stoked at the possibility of a new GT-Four, but i own a 90 celica alltrac, so im kind of an addict. one question tho, i loved the 3sgte and i think there is a modern version of it in the caldina (matrix), why not use that engine?
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Franz 1:17PM (2/04/2008)
My thoughts exactly. Don't get me wrong... I love Subaru's EJ series flat fours. I just think they should stay in Subarus. Toyota made a name for itself with high winding motors such as the 4A and the 3S, and those handled boost pretty well. IMO, a nameplate with the history of the Celica should stay true to those roots.
SPF 12:50PM (2/04/2008)
It seems too good to be true.
Wait, maybe they will build it, but just to piss us off, they won't sell it in North America.
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