Future Toyota Celica Sport Will Have an AWD Hybrid Powertrain
Toyota reportedly will call its next sports car the Celica Sport, and it’ll feature a hybrid turbocharged 2.0-liter powertrain.\n\nBy Caleb MillerPublished: Mar 27, 2026\nSave Article\n1990 toyota celica alltrac turbo\nPhil Berg|Car and Driver\nA Gazoo Racing spokesperson said Toyota’s next sports car will be called the Celica Sport, according to a report by Autocar\nGR marketing manager Mikio Hayashi reportedly also said the new car will feature all-wheel drive and a hybrid powertrain.\nThe hybrid unit will likely use a new turbocharged 2.0-liter engine that last year Toyota confirmed it was developing.\nThe fifth-generation Toyota Supra is set to retire by the end of this year, but don’t worry, because Toyota isn’t backing away from sports cars. In fact, the Japanese automaker is gearing up to revive yet another iconic name from its past, the Celica. A Toyota executive confirmed the brand was working on a new Celica at an event in Japan at the end of 2024, and now a new report from Autocar sheds more light on the sports car’s name and powertrain.\n\nAdvertisement – Continue Reading Below\n\nAutocar spoke with Gazoo Racing marketing manager Mikio Hayashi, who told the publication that the new model will be called the Celica Sport. He also confirmed that it will feature all-wheel drive, a move we’re not shocked by, given the nameplate’s rich history in the world of rally racing. Of course, past generations also came in front-wheel drive, and the earliest Celicas were rear-wheel drive.\n\nFor Sale Near You\nSee all results for Toyota Celica for sale near 634720\n\nToyota\nThe fourth-generation Celica was the first to introduce all-wheel drive with the All-Trac Turbo.\nThe rally connection appears likely to continue with this latest generation, with a prototype Toyota rally car spotted in February testing in Portugal. The current Yaris-based rally racer won’t be eligible to race in the World Rally Championship in 2027, and the photos of the camouflaged prototype showed a compact coupe, making us think the Celica will likely serve as Toyota’s next WRC challenger.\n\nHayashi also lent further credence to the reports that the Celica Sport will feature a hybrid turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder powertrain. Toyota first hinted at a new turbo-four engine codenamed G20E at the 2025 Tokyo Auto Salon, fitting it into the mid-engined GR Yaris M concept. The engine is also expected to be featured in the upcoming Celica and MR2 revivals.\n\n\”The displacement size of 1.6 liters [used in the GR Yaris], for example, cannot meet emission regulations. So we have to consider the possibility of a 2.0-liter,\” Hayashi told Autocar. \”We are thinking about various sizes, but we are not at a stage where we can tell you exactly what size it is. Nothing has been decided yet about whether it will be a standard hybrid or plug-in hybrid.\”\n\nToyota\nThe mid-engined GR Yaris M concept was the first appearance for Toyota’s new 2.0-liter engine.\nHayashi also wouldn’t reveal a timeline for the launch of this new 2.0-liter engine. \”We are continuing to develop that. We have high expectations,\” he hinted. \”We cannot point to a timeline but can say we are making steady progress.\”\n\nAutocar reports that the new engine has a shorter piston stroke than Toyota’s current engines to cut down on size and weight. This smaller, lighter engine means that adding hybrid components—the battery and electric motor—would bring only a minor weight increase compared with the current GR performance cars. While it’s unclear exactly how much power this setup will make in the Celica, previous reports have pinned the output at around 400 horsepower. German publication Auto Motor und Sport claims that with a larger turbocharger, the hybrid unit could crank out more than 600 horsepower.\n\nThe new powertrain could end up in other GR-branded cars, with the GR Yaris likely receiving some version of the new engine in Europe; the GR Corolla is a likely candidate for the United States market. More details on both the engine and the next-generation Celica should continue to emerge this year.\n\n\nRevival of an Icon: The All-New Toyota Celica Sport Poised to Electrify the Performance Market\n\nThe automotive landscape is undergoing a seismic shift, with electrification no longer a fringe movement but the driving force reshaping the industry. In this era of rapid evolution, Toyota, a titan of reliability and innovation, is preparing to reintroduce a legend to the tarmac. Sources close to the brand confirm that the much-anticipated revival of the Toyota Celica is not just a concept but a fully realized production vehicle, tentatively named the Toyota Celica Sport. This new chapter for the iconic nameplate promises to blend heritage with cutting-edge technology, featuring a sophisticated all-wheel-drive hybrid powertrain. The whispers from the development studios suggest a car that will honor its rally roots while embracing the future of performance motoring.\n\nIn the United States, the automotive world buzzes with speculation as Toyota prepares to fill the void left by the departure of the fifth-generation Supra. While the Supra’s legacy is etched in automotive history, its discontinuation has left a palpable void in Toyota’s performance lineup. Yet, as one legend bows out, another prepares for its grand entrance. The decision to resurrect the Celica nameplate is a bold move, signaling Toyota’s unwavering commitment to the enthusiast market. The brand, under the visionary leadership of its Gazoo Racing division, has demonstrated a remarkable capacity to blend its storied past with forward-thinking engineering. This strategy has yielded compelling products like the GR86, GR Corolla, and GR Yaris, each paying homage to Toyota’s rich motorsports heritage while delivering modern performance benchmarks.\n\nThe lineage of the Celica is one of motorsport dominance and accessible performance, a legacy that resonates deeply with driving enthusiasts across the globe. From its humble beginnings in 1970, the Celica evolved through six distinct generations, each iteration pushing the boundaries of design and engineering. The nameplate became synonymous with reliability, style, and, most importantly, driving pleasure. Its most iconic iteration, the fourth-generation Celica GT-Four, cemented its legendary status by capturing the hearts of rally fans worldwide. This high-performance variant, equipped with a potent turbocharged engine and an advanced all-wheel-drive system, dominated the World Rally Championship, proving that Toyota could compete at the highest echelons of international motorsport.\n\nThe return of the Celica is not merely a nostalgic exercise; it is a strategic masterstroke designed to capture the imagination of a new generation of drivers while appeasing the loyalists who have cherished the nameplate for decades. The modern automotive market, particularly in the performance segment, is fiercely competitive. Brands like Subaru, with the WRX and BRZ, and Honda, with the Civic Type R, have carved out significant niches by offering compelling, driver-focused vehicles. Toyota’s entry into this arena, armed with the Celica name and a revolutionary powertrain, promises to shake up the status quo and reassert Toyota’s position as a leader in the performance car segment.\n\nUnder the hood, the new Celica Sport is poised to deliver a powertrain that represents the pinnacle of Toyota’s hybrid expertise. Whispers from the development labs suggest the integration of a new turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, a marvel of modern engineering. This innovative powerplant is expected to work in tandem with an advanced hybrid system, creating a synergy of electric and gasoline power that will deliver exhilarating performance without compromising on fuel efficiency. The prospect of a turbocharged hybrid powertrain is particularly exciting, as it addresses the growing demand for sustainable performance vehicles that do not sacrifice driving dynamics.\n\nThe choice of a 2.0-liter displacement for the new engine is a strategic decision, likely influenced by evolving global emissions regulations. As environmental standards tighten across the globe, automakers are increasingly turning to smaller displacement engines that can deliver high power outputs while meeting stringent emission targets. This approach allows manufacturers to extract more performance from less fuel, a win-win for both drivers and the environment. The hybrid integration further amplifies this benefit, providing instant torque and seamless power delivery that will make the Celica Sport a joy to drive in both city and highway environments.\n\nThe implications of this new powertrain extend beyond the Celica itself. Reports suggest that this innovative 2.0-liter hybrid system could find its way into other performance vehicles in Toyota’s lineup. The GR Yaris, a homologation special that has captured the hearts of rally enthusiasts, is a likely candidate for an upgrade. The GR Corolla, a formidable contender in the hot hatch segment, could also benefit from the enhanced performance and efficiency of the new engine. This potential cross-pollination of technology demonstrates Toyota’s commitment to optimizing its engineering resources and delivering cutting-edge solutions across its entire product portfolio.\n\nThe design philosophy behind the new Celica Sport is expected to strike a delicate balance between homage and innovation. Drawing inspiration from the legendary fourth-generation Celica GT-Four, the new model will likely feature a sleek, aerodynamic silhouette that pays tribute to its rally roots. Expect aggressive styling cues, including a low-slung stance, wide fender flares, and a prominent rear spoiler, all designed to enhance aerodynamic performance and create a visually striking presence on
