8th gen Celica, possible release date? Options

[Outsider]

I found this post on a UK forum. Food for thought.

[Kwanza26]

I think that post is mostly speculation. Doesn't sound like anything Toyota would ever attempt. Specifically, the Celica is currently rumored (in more reliable sources than a forum post) to be mounting a new head design being built by Yahama integrating Variable Valve Timing with Lift and Intelligence (VVTL-i) onto the 2.4 liter 2AZ block, whose engines are currently found in base model Camrys, Solaras, and the Scion tC. As for anything relating to a Supercharger, again more speculation, but I wouldn't be surprised if it came as a TRD S/C option (like on many USDM cars here)... but most likely not as a production engine built for boost. However, if Toyota decides to mount a design such as VVTL-i on that rod stroke ratio (2AZ's big stroke), they might run into the same problem Honda ran into with the H22As... expense. They'll probably have to overbuild the bottom end with much stronger rods to withstand the increased revving related to VVTL-i and in turn, the price of the cars with that engine increases. This was a direct link to that death of the Prelude.

I'll also agree with neoklis that there is a slight possiblity Celicas might not reach our shores (not sure for Canada... but the US perhaps) because of the competition issue between the Celica and the tC. As far as I know currently, the tC is a USDM only vehicle... but not sure exactly. It would be awesome if an 8th gen comes, perhaps with the same relationship to the tC as what the RSX and the Civic SI currently share... but that's only hope... and a 2005 July date would even be more awesome.

This post has been edited by Kwanza26: Jun 11, 2004 - 9:35 PM