Last month, we reported that Toyota’s iconic Celica will return. According to the Japanese motoring website Best Car, this piece of information came directly from Toyota Motor Company’s executive vice president Yuki Nakajima.
Toyota’s anime series Grip also snuck in some easter eggs for its viewers. In one scene, there’s a board with a list of possible upcoming models like the Supra Mk6, Celica Mk8, MR2 Mk4, GR86 Mk3, and GR GT3. Not only is the Celica listed on the board, but there’s also a drawing of a mid-’80s all-wheel drive ST165 Celica GT-Four. Perhaps this is a hint of the direction Toyota will be taking when it brings back the nameplate. Interesting...
Last time, we did our modern reimagining of the ’70s-era rear-drive first-gen Celica. This time around, I selected the fourth-gen iteration as my inspiration, specifically the GT-Four variant which also made its mark in Group A rally racing.
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We’ve retained the fourth-gen model’s distinctive boxy silhouette, from its sloping hood to its sleek liftback rear. The front end blends the new corporate face of Toyota cars with that of the fourth-gen Celica face with a hint of the sleekness of the fifth-gen model. Like many modern Toyotas, it uses slim LED headlights. As we move down, there’s the GR-style front bumper with circular brake-cooling ducts that mimic the shape of the large fog lights of the ’80s classic. Moving to the sides, it features exaggerated flared fenders not only to give the car a more aggressive look but also to contain its wide tracks and 235/40 R18 performance tires.
I tidied up the rear by integrating the ST165’s raised deck and spoiler panel into the rear liftgate. The taillight design features a blend between the classic rectangular clusters and the C-clamp-shaped units in modern Toyotas. Like the classic model, the B- and C-pillars are hidden to give it a semi-floating roof appearance. The classic ‘CELICA’ text is displayed on the front grille and above the rear license plate.
While there isn’t any information on what engine will power it, I’d select the 300hp 1.6-liter turbo triple of the refreshed GR Yaris and GR Corolla as the default standard engine for the all-wheel drive GR version, and perhaps the upcoming all-new 2.0-liter turbo four as a more powerful upgrade. Our modern ST165 Celica is built on the Japanese carmaker’s TNGA-C architecture, which also means it’s hybrid-ready.
Like the GR Yaris, our modern Celica uses aluminum for the doors, hood, and tailgate. It will feature a forged carbon composite roof to further reduce the weight. In its standard form, it features a low-profile rear lip spoiler. Our modern all-wheel drive GR Celica measures 4,450mm long, 1,860mm wide, and 1,359mm tall, it rides on a 2,640mm wheelbase.
What do you think of our modern interpretation of the ’80s ST165 Celica GT-Four? Would you consider this if Toyota built it? Let us know in the comments.
