The Key Details<\/p>\n
Toyota Australia boss says brand would \u201cdefinitely be looking at it\u201d<\/p>\n
New model tipped to use turbo 2.0-litre engine and all-wheel drive<\/p>\n
Likely to be developed by Gazoo Racing performance division<\/p>\n
Could revive GT-Four-style performance formula<\/p>\n
Reported to be badged \u2018Celica Sport\u2019 initially<\/p>\n
![\"\"\/](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/toyota-zr-celica-my99-2-yimt.jpg\")
1999 Toyota ZR CelicaThe Finer Details<\/p>\n
If you want a sign that the reborn Toyota Celica could make it to Australian showrooms, look no further than the man responsible for deciding what Toyota sells here \u2013 and the fact\u00a0he’s\u00a0had two of them in his own family.<\/p>\n
Speaking to\u00a0carsales, Pappas pointed to the strong legacy of Toyota\u2019s past sports cars in Australia, including the Celica, MR2 and Supra, suggesting there would be clear appetite if a new model became available.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo\u00a0I think if that car became available to us, we would definitely be looking at it,\u201d he said of the Celica, before adding there was \u201cnothing to confirm\u201d right now.<\/p>\n
![\"\"\/](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/toyota_mr2_supra-1.jpg\")
Toyota MR2 and Supra<\/p>\n
But it was his personal connection that gave the clearest signal.<\/p>\n
The Toyota Australia sales chief revealed he owned an \u201889 Celica SX as his first car, bearing bold red paint work. His brother drove an earlier \u201985 model \u2013 a reminder of just how deeply the nameplate resonates with Australian buyers.<\/p>\n
Beyond the nostalgia, the next-generation Celica is shaping up to be far more than a heritage play.<\/p>\n
According to Autocar UK<\/a>, the new coupe could arrive wearing a Celica Sport badge \u2013 potentially laying the groundwork for a more hardcore GR version further down the track, following Toyota\u2019s now-familiar Gazoo Racing playbook.<\/p>\n Under the bonnet, a significant shift is expected.<\/p>\n The much-loved 1.6-litre turbocharged three-cylinder used in the GR Yaris and GR Corolla is unlikely to continue, with emissions regulations forcing a rethink.<\/p>\n Instead, a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine (almost certainly\u00a0featuring a hybrid module) is under consideration, paired with all-wheel drive.<\/p>\n A combination that\u00a0immediately\u00a0echoes the legendary Toyota Celica GT-Four.<\/p>\n That formula made the Celica a dominant force in the World Rally Championship through the 1990s, and homologation versions\u00a0remain\u00a0among Toyota\u2019s most sought-after performance cars.<\/p>\n A camouflaged prototype wearing Gazoo Racing colours was spotted testing in Portugal earlier this year, fuelling speculation that development is already well underway.<\/p>\n While Toyota has yet to confirm the car\u2019s identity, the timing and disguise point toward the Celica\u2019s return.<\/p>\n Powerful hints have also come from within Toyota itself.<\/p>\n Back in 2024, Toyota\u2019s global vice president Yuki Nakajima openly stated\u00a0work had begun on an all-new Toyota Celica<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re making the Celica,\u201d\u00a0he declared,\u00a0before appearing to walk the comment back,\u00a0which\u00a0only added\u00a0to the intrigue.\u00a0And\u00a0probably the\u00a0secrecy\u2026 until now.<\/p>\n The new eighth-gen Celica is expected to sit in\u00a0a similar size\u00a0bracket to the seventh-generation car, which was axed in 2006 after a 36-year run.<\/p>\n That final iteration featured a high-revving 8200rpm engine co-developed with Yamaha, raising the question of whether Toyota might again tap into that partnership.<\/p>\n The Road Ahead<\/p>\n While Toyota is yet to officially unveil the new Celica, all signs point to a return led by Gazoo Racing, with performance credentials front and centre.<\/p>\n If the reported \u2018Celica Sport\u2019 arrives first, it would\u00a0likely act\u00a0as an entry point before a full GR flagship, potentially reviving the GT-Four moniker with modern turbo power and all-wheel drive.<\/p>\n For Australia, the outlook is increasingly positive.<\/p>\n With strong historic demand, internal enthusiasm and a local boss openly backing the idea, the Celica appears far more likely than not to make it to local showrooms if production is confirmed.<\/p>\n With the country’s own sales boss reminiscing about his red ’89 Celica SX and talking about “definitely looking at it”,\u00a0we’d\u00a0be surprised if it\u00a0didn’t\u00a0arrive.<\/p>\n Stay tuned for more.<\/p>\n PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARCIO PEREIRA, via dirtfish.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n![\"\"\/](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/toyota-celica-st205-01-48j5.jpg\")
Toyota Sports EV<\/p>\n![\"\"\/](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/toyota-celica-v-dxpf.jpg\")
Toyota Celica GT-Four<\/p>\n![\"\"\/](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/toyota-celica-render-best-car-ed-01-p7g0.jpg\")
Digital Image: Best Car, Toyota Celica Render![\"\"\/](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/toyota-celica-render-2-2.jpg\")
Digital Image: Best Car, Toyota Celica Render<\/p>\n![\"\"\/](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/toyota-sports-ev-3-hyup.jpg\")
Toyota Sports EV Concept<\/p>\n