It is said that Toyota will carry out a full model change of its sports car “Celica” and revive it as the 8th generation around 2026. If realized, it would be the first time in 20 years since sales ended in 2006. I will explain in detail what kind of model it will be.
Toyota will exhibit at the JAPAN MOBILITY SHOW 2023, which will be held mainly at Tokyo Big Sight, and will make its world premiere of the sports-type battery EV concept model “FT-3e” on October 25, 2023. Did. Rumor has it that the FT-3e may become the next Celica. The workmanship is still excellent, and there are high hopes that it will continue to be commercially available.
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Will “FT-Se Concept” become Toyota’s new GR Celica? !
“FT-Se” is a compact 2-door sports car BEV from the “GR” brand. The exterior may certainly have elements typical of a Celica.
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About Toyota “FT-Se Concept” exterior
Toyota’s next-generation BEV concept model “FT-3e” has an extremely excellent design. Toyota has evolved the design of the GR Sports Concept (SPORTS EV) , which was announced in 2021, without taking any clear design inspiration from sports cars such as the current Supra or GR 86. .
The front end features a blacked-out grille, large air intakes and LED daytime running lights. In addition to wide and low proportions, the one-form silhouette reduces air resistance. The pointed nose, sharp angle of the front quarter panels, and cabin shape give it a sports car feel. Red brake calipers, intricate wheels, dramatic rocker panels, flush door handles and small wing mirrors all add to the sporty feel.
According to Toyota, the GR brand concept’s “cutting-edge silhouette” was devised to reduce drag, thanks to molded rear quarter panels that transition cleanly into small fins dominated by thin LED taillights. This includes a ducktail spoiler and dramatic diffuser that differs from the Supra’s. Toyota also showed off a version of the FT-3e on the race circuit with a fixed rear wing attached to the rear window.
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About Toyota “FT-Se Concept” interior
The interior of the FT-3e is a cockpit centered around the driver. Most notably, dual portrait displays are placed on either side of the yoke steering wheel, displaying important vehicle information and infotainment functions.
There are also Recaro bucket seats in beautiful blue Alcantara with digital gauges and carbon fiber backrests. Intricate blue weave is also featured on the door panels, lower dashboard and center console. The adoption of a next-generation cockpit enables intuitive operation and increases the sense of immersion in driving. Visibility is improved by lowering the top of the instrument panel. Newly designed knee pads are used to protect the body from G (gravitational acceleration) while driving. The high-performance sports BEV model shares components with the FT-3e, while further improving handling stability and aerodynamic performance. Through software updates, we aim to create a car that grows with the driver.
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“Red engine” under development unveiled at “Tokyo Auto Salon 2024”
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing (TGR) and LEXUS will be held at the TGR booth (East Hall 8) at “Tokyo Auto Salon 2024″ to be held at Makuhari Messe from January 12th to January 14th, 2024. Chairman Akio Toyoda delivered a “New Year’s Greetings from Morizo.” During this speech, I announced the launch of a new “Engine Project.” Among them, we released photos of the “Silver Engine” and “Red Engine” that are currently in production.
In his “New Year’s Greetings from Morizo,” Mr. Akio Toyoda spoke under the titles of “Creating Friends for the Future,” “Creating Friendships Beyond Nations,” and “Protecting Friends for the Future.” doing. Among them, Morizo made a request to Toyota: “Protect your friends for the future.” “ Engines still have a role to play as a realistic means of achieving carbon neutrality, so let’s further refine our engine technology and launch a project to do so. ” President Sato and other executives agree. , a new project has started. Mr. Akio Toyoda concluded by saying , ` `EV, HV, PHEV, FCEV, whatever the power is. The truth is always one: “Carbon is the enemy.” Let’s create the future together with all car lovers.’ ‘ Ta.
During a “roundtable discussion on favorite cars” that took place after “New Year’s Greetings from Morizo,” a question was asked about the two engines currently under development, and Chairman Toyoda answered, “No,” with a slurred response. He said that the first silver engine is an “engine that is good for the environment,” and the second red engine is “an engine that can win races.” In other words, there is a possibility that this red engine will be installed in the engine of a future sports model , and I feel that Chairman Toyoda wants to use it in the engine of the next Celica, including the current flow.
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Will it be Toyota’s new GR Celica? !
In a recent interview, Toyota Motor Corporation Chairman Akio Toyoda expressed his desire to bring back the Celica name, but stressed that the decision was not his alone.
Mr. Toyoda was asked about the possibility of the new Celica in an interview broadcast live on the Toyota Times YouTube channel in the run-up to Rally Hokkaido (5:21:19). Mr. Toyoda said, “Well, I don’t know what name it will be released under. Some people are tired of listening to me.”
Four-time WRC champion Juha Kankkunen can be called a Celica. He is asking people to think about why “Mr. Akio Toyoda” is using “Mr. Juha Kankkunen” so much. There seems to be a high probability that Celica will be revived.
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Celica history
Celica is a hardtop and coupe-type passenger car manufactured and sold by Toyota from 1970 to 2006. As Japan’s first specialty car (a passenger car that looked like a sports car but focused on comfort and livability), it featured an innovative design and was exported to North America and Europe.
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First generation A20/30 type
Release date: December 1970
Common name: Daruma Celica (also known as “Daruma”)
Characteristics: Due to its plump body, it resembles a Daruma doll, hence its common name. This is a specialty car that uses the chassis of the family sedan “Carina.”
- January 1974: Minor changes unified the coupe’s front nose design and added the 2000GT.
- October 1975: Minor changes were made to comply with 1975 exhaust gas regulations.
- 1977: A special edition car, the Black Celica, was introduced.
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2nd generation A40/50 type
Release date: August 1977
Features: Same platform as Carina.
- August 1979: Minor changes to the front grille and four square headlights.
- January 1980: The Celica Camry, a four-door sedan, was introduced and became the Carina’s sister car.
3rd generation A60 type
Release date: July 1981
Features: The chassis was the same as the Carina and Corona, and it was the first Japanese car to use rise-up (pop-up) headlamps.
- 1983: Minor changes to retractable headlamps (black mask) and door mirrors became standard equipment.
4th generation T160 type
Release date: August 1985
Features: Changed to front-wheel drive and is based on the FF Corona/Carina floorpan. The model became “T”, and sister cars called Corona Coupe and Carina ED appeared.
5th generation T180 type
Release date: September 1989
Features : Wearing a futuristic new aero form, the design details were changed in August 1991, and the emblem was changed to the Toyota mark.
- September 1993: Production ended and only sold in stock.
6th generation T200 type
Release date: October 1993
Features: The newly designed chassis is the same as the Carina ED and Corona EXiV, and all models have three numbers and improved rigidity.
- September 1994: The third generation convertible (ST202C type) was released in Japan.
- December 1997: In a minor change, VVT-i was adopted for the 3S-GE engine installed in SS-II and SS-III, and it was named “BEAMS”.
- August 1999: Production ended.
7th generation T230 type
Release date: September 1999
Features: This is the 7th generation full model change, with CALTY in charge of the exterior design. It features vertical headlamps and a rear deck with a short, angular step.
Sales end: April 2006
This marks the end of the Celica’s 7th generation and 36-year history.
The Celica has continued to evolve over the years, captivating many fans with its unique style and technology.
A word from the editorial department
Amidst all the talk, the key to the revival of the Celica is that Mr. Akio Toyoda has strongly expressed his desire to revive the Celica name. However, he himself has said that not all opinions are accepted at Toyota Motor Corporation, and the chairman’s opinion is not always accepted. However, as engine development progresses and discussions within the company progress, we can predict that there is a high possibility that a new Celica will appear in the future. We will notify you as soon as new information becomes available.
toyota news release