Created by Luís Belo at Thursday, 13 March 2025
The History of the Toyota Celica
The Toyota Celica is one of the Japanese brand's most iconic models, having earned a special place in the automotive world since its debut in 1970. With a sporty design, engines renowned for their reliability and an unrivalled rallying legacy, the Toyota Celica has established itself as one of the most iconic and desirable coupés of its generation. In Portugal, it has always been a benchmark for those looking for an affordable sports car full of personality. Now, almost two decades after the last generation was discontinued, Toyota has confirmed the return of the Celica. This new version promises to bring back the excitement and sporting spirit of the model, combining modern technology with the DNA that made it legendary.
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A legend is born
The Toyota Celica was created with the intention of being an affordable sports car inspired by American muscle cars, but with a Japanese twist: more compact dimensions, efficient engines and balanced dynamic behaviour. From an early stage, it stood out for its fearless design and mechanical reliability, characteristics that made it an instant success.
Evolution over the generations
For seven generations, the Celica has adapted to market trends while maintaining its sporty essence. Each version brought innovations and improvements that consolidated its position in the automotive world:
- Celica A20/A30 (1970-1977) - The first model, strongly influenced by the design of the muscle cars of the time, with coupé and liftback versions;
- Celica A40/A50 (1977-1981) - Straighter, more modern lines, greater focus on comfort and efficient engines;
- Celica A60 (1981-1985) - Introduced improved aerodynamics and more powerful versions, such as the Celica Supra;
- Celica T160 (1985-1989) - First generation with front-wheel drive, marking a change in the model's philosophy;
- Celica T180 (1989-1993) - Popularised with the GT-Four, an all-wheel drive version that shone on rallies;
- Celica T200 (1993-1999) - More rounded and futuristic design, with powerful engines and the GT-Four version;
- Celica T230 (1999-2006) - The latest generation, with an aggressive design and VVT-i engines, standing out for its lightness and agility.
The Celica in Rallies: A Winning Machine
One of the great strengths of the Toyota Celica was its success in the World Rally Championship (WRC). With the Celica GT-Four version, equipped with all-wheel drive and a powerful turbo engine, Toyota managed to win three world constructors' titles and mark an era in motorsport.
Drivers Carlos Sainz, Juha Kankkunen and Didier Auriol helped turn the Celica into a rally legend, taking on heavyweight rivals such as the Lancia Delta Integrale and the Subaru Impreza.
The Toyota Celica in Portugal
In Portugal, the Celica has always been a desirable model for those looking for an affordable sports coupé. Over the years, it gained a strong fan base, especially the GT-Four and T-Sport versions, which stood out for their performance and engaging driving.
Today, the Celica is a prized classic, especially the older generations and the models that took part in the WRC. It's not easy to find a well-loved Celica on the second-hand market, but it remains one of the most charismatic sports cars in automotive history.
The return of the Celica: Toyota confirms the new model
After years of speculation, Toyota has officially confirmed that the Celica will return. The revelation was made by Yuki Nakajima, Toyota's executive vice president, during an event at Toyota Stadium in Aichi, Japan, in November 2024.
Nakajima stated:
‘To be honest, there is still no outline or shape at the moment. However, there are a lot of people looking forward to the Celica within the company. So... I'm not sure if I can say this publicly, but we're going to make the Celica!’
Although it is not yet known whether it will be a prototype or the final production model, there is speculation that it could feature a 2.0 four-cylinder turbo engine capable of delivering up to 406bhp in the most powerful version.
This comeback is part of Toyota's strategy to revitalise classic sports models, as already happened with the GR Supra and GR86, following the growing demand for iconic sports models.
For enthusiasts and followers of the Celica's history, this is exciting news, promising to bring back one of the Japanese brand's most iconic names.
Why Choose a Toyota Celica?
Japanese reliability - Robust, long-lasting engines with little need for maintenance;
Sporty Aesthetics - Striking design in all generations, with aggressive, aerodynamic lines;
Performance and Driving - Excellent dynamic behaviour, especially in the GT-Four and T-Sport versions;
History in Motorsport - Strong links to rallying, making it a true icon of the competition;
Exclusivity - Well-maintained models are becoming rare and increasingly valued.
The Toyota Celica isn't just a car - it's a symbol of sporting spirit and passion for driving. Its rallying history, striking design and reliability have made it one of Toyota's most desirable coupés.
With its return confirmed soon, the eighth generation Celica promises to bring back the excitement of this Japanese icon, combining tradition with innovation. For true sports car fans, the Celica is back to make history once again.
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Translated with DeepL.com
