Celica to return in 2009 Options

[BloodyStupidDave...]

Further rumours that the Celica may rise from the ashes...

Automotive News is this week reporting that Toyota are going to bring back the Celica in 2009, pretty much re-itterating rumours from the start of the year (hybrid, 4WD option).

Channel 4 News expands upon these by guessing at what such a car might look like:
http://www.channel4.com/4car/news/news-sto...p?news_id=16733

In particular, several pundits thing that if there is a new Celica, it will be available in RWD and 4WD options, no FWD.

Speculation is that there will be a grand tourer version, a coupe version and a roadster version all based on the same chassis (and probably essentially the same chassis as another Toyta/Lexus model - IS-F?).

As a reminder, there have been a few concepts recently that could end up as the basis for a Celica.

FT-HS


LF-A


LW-S


Possible MR2 (spyshot)

[tads]

The only reason I would put any credence to the rumors of a Celica return is that the Solara is being killed off. This will leave a hole the Toyota line for a 2 door coupe. I really believe that a new Celica would be built around the 2AZ for the US market. I would rather see that than the tired 1ZZ being dropped into it again. I have a 1ZZ in my Corolla, but it’s a dog when compared with even the sluggish 5S in my Celica. If they kept the weight down a 2AZ powered Celica would be fun to drive. If they got ballsy and wanted to rattle Detroit’s cage a little they could also build it with a GTS trim and use the new 3.5L power plant. That would only be 32hp short of the advertised 300hp of a V8 Mustang. That would be a pretty quick car and by using Camry motors and transmissions the price shouldn’t be too ridiculous.

[BloodyStupidDave...]

The only reason I would put any credence to the rumors of a Celica return is that the Solara is being killed off. This will leave a hole the Toyota line for a 2 door coupe. I really believe that a new Celica would be built around the 2AZ for the US market. I would rather see that than the tired 1ZZ being dropped into it again. I have a 1ZZ in my Corolla, but it’s a dog when compared with even the sluggish 5S in my Celica. If they kept the weight down a 2AZ powered Celica would be fun to drive. If they got ballsy and wanted to rattle Detroit’s cage a little they could also build it with a GTS trim and use the new 3.5L power plant. That would only be 32hp short of the advertised 300hp of a V8 Mustang. That would be a pretty quick car and by using Camry motors and transmissions the price shouldn’t be too ridiculous.

I'd like to see the Celica return as a 4WD-only model. Something generally based around the shape of the MKIV Supra but with a slightly shorter bonnet and similar width to the 6th Gen Celica. If the more modern construction techniques and materials were used, and an engine based on the 2ZZ-GE, supercharged it should end up weighing less than 1600kg, 0-60 in around 6s with over 250bhp.