More details on Toyota's Celica replacement

Back in November Toyota’s German Chief Markus Schrick confirmed Toyota was working on several new sports cars including a replacement for the Celica and now Japanese magazines are claiming the new model will arrive as early as next year. The new car is said to be the joint-effort of a collaboration between Toyota and Subaru and it will reportedly be offered in two different variants, a cheaper GT model and a high-performance AWD GT-Four.

The cheaper GT version is supposed to have a target price under $20,000, Japan’s Best Car reports, which agree with earlier reports claiming Toyota was working on an affordable successor to the 1980’s AE86. The GT will feature a conventional front-engine RWD layout and will be powered by a naturally aspirated 2.0L Subaru four-cylinder boxer engine.

The more expensive GT-Four, meanwhile, will come with AWD as standard and get the same 300hp turbo four as the Japanese spec Subaru Impreza STI.
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tattedtwice - 2/3/2008 10:21:47 PM

-2 Boost

Right, cause of course BMW buyers regularly cross shop $30k coupes and "under $20k" econo cars, with engines that sound like go-karts.

atomicbri - 2/4/2008 7:22:54 AM

+4 Boost

Will never fly... Toyota has already said this car will not come to America, they feel the Scion tC is the best coupe for the American market. The next Celica is more for the Japanese and European market. As for 1 series competitor, I do not see how. Toyota's have never handled better than a Bimmer, main reason I did not buy the Lexus IS, loved the style and all, but was not fun driving it in the twisties...

Kinger - 2/4/2008 9:02:04 AM

0 Boost

The 1-series doesn't compete with this. Your BMW hatred really is just rediculous at this point. :S

Auto_expert - 2/4/2008 10:28:25 AM

+1 Boost

Toyota doesn't need to worry about BMW. BMW is in a whole other realm. They should focus on Hyundai because they are coming up quick in the rear-view mirror.

atomicbri - 2/11/2008 7:46:27 AM

+1 Boost

I am speaking of brand new cars you can buy on a Toyota lot right now. Your precious Toyota did not feel the need to replace this car. Yes it handled way, but Toyota didn't care enough about it to replace it.

Homer008 - 2/3/2008 11:28:13 PM

+4 Boost

FT-HS IMO but can't go wrong w/either model though.

rybo - 2/4/2008 12:01:39 AM

+3 Boost

The FT-HS will almost certainly be some kind of performance hybrid and I suspect will be at least $10k more than even the 300hp GT four in this story.

atomicbri - 2/4/2008 7:24:15 AM

-1 Boost

Toyota has already said this will NOT come to the US... this will be a Japan and Europe only model.

atomicbri - 2/11/2008 7:47:29 AM

+1 Boost

http://www.motorauthority.com/news/coupes/toyota-celica-replacement-coming-in-2009/

Says they will not bring it here, guess we will have to wait and see with so many different stories.

EL34 - 2/4/2008 12:08:31 AM

-7 Boost

Celica = stinky

Like a frickin' skunk!

_43LE - 2/4/2008 10:38:57 AM

+5 Boost

EL34 = ???

Any guesses?

XYZZ - 2/6/2008 2:48:14 AM

+1 Boost

senor EL 3'tupid 4ool

izfuney - 2/4/2008 1:24:46 AM

+4 Boost

This story has been around ... Apparantly the RWD coupe utilizes the subaru midsize car platform with Toyota planing a light weight under 20k car. (This is an entire new effort to engineer light weight cars that can be manufactured cheaply ...i.e. no carbon fiber or aluminium)
Engine will probably have anywhere from 160 to 175 hp ..
Now lets see what they deliver .... if the car is under 2500lbs its a winner and cult classic...

Czelinski - 2/4/2008 3:36:40 AM

-1 Boost

Interesting, could be good. And all these people spouting BMW 1 series is a gonner, don't be so niave. The people buying cars such as the 1 are breaking into buying a premium brand vehicle, they won't look at Toyota.

JUGNU - 2/4/2008 6:44:39 AM

+1 Boost

Can't wait to see the fruit of Toyota-Subaru collaboration. I am sure it'll be very good. Subaru's got great things to share like Boxer engines. The best Rally developed/inspired AWD system, Symmetrical AWD, turbos...etc

JUGNU

JUGNU - 2/4/2008 6:55:35 AM

0 Boost

And also don't forget the World's First Boxer Diesel Engine recentley launched by Subaru.

Now it would be great if Toyota start putting new Boxer Diesel Engines in their cars, both Toyotas and Lexus. It should be very good for Diesel loving Europe and most of Asia.

JUGNU

atomicbri - 2/4/2008 7:30:03 AM

-1 Boost

Folks unfortunately this vehicle is not destined for the US market.

http://www.motorauthority.com/news/coupes/toyota-celica-replacement-coming-in-2009/

This article tells of Toyota Europe spearheading this idea, to bring it to the Euro market. It mentions that it would make sense to offer any sports models to the US, but nothing is confirmed at this time.

0to60 - 2/4/2008 10:21:28 AM

+3 Boost

Gee, kinda harsh dont ya think??? You could have just said that his dad, if he HAS to buy a lexus, should at least have the balls to get the 350.

STJ88 - 2/4/2008 10:13:46 AM

+5 Boost

@cptamazing

I want to ask you something, is crack a hell of a drug? Because you got to be on it.

mini22 - 2/4/2008 11:48:50 AM

+1 Boost

Yes-I mean these comments are incredibly stupid.Stick to cars not people's parents. And by the way the Boxer engines in Subaru originally came from a Porsche design.They are in no way crap.Further a small RWD inexpensive coupe has not come from Japan in quite some time.The closest thing the've got is a Miata. With it's inherent lower center of gravity the Boxer engine should help handling. Just imagine if Porsche put a flat 6 into the engine bay of the transaxle 944.Please back up comments with some factual information.

Htay7500 - 2/4/2008 4:33:23 PM

+2 Boost

" I can say the 2.5 engine is a piece of junk."

just like your comments.

kpaxx - 2/5/2008 8:28:56 AM

0 Boost

One of my best friends owned a subaru and the engine never idled smooth and had lots of problems.

2ndbimmer - 2/4/2008 12:45:39 PM

-2 Boost

there is no way in hell that they will put out a 300hp celica. Look at all of their engines now! it will have the cheesy 4banger and the 'eh' 6 cylinder from the camry. If they really wanted to catch the younger market, they would put this engine and drivetrain in a Scion TC.

STJ88 - 2/4/2008 1:26:26 PM

+4 Boost

@2ndbimmer

Why woulden't they make a 300BHP? the GT4 had 250BHP. And scion is US only this article is about Japan.

mini22 - 2/4/2008 2:00:41 PM

+3 Boost

So there is no souch thing as a 300 HP Subaru engine?Have any of you ever heard of a car called the WRX STI.It makes 300 HP.Isn't that amazing. Why don't you go to the Subaru web sight to verify this info.cptamazing-You think a Porsche 911 has a rough engine?You thoughts live up to your user name. I've driven many Subaru's both 2 liter,2.2's and 2.5 and I've never experienced roughness that you claim. A boxer engine does make a different sound then a conventional in line 4 or 6 for sure. But their design lends to a lower center of gravity for better handling.

JUGNU - 2/4/2008 2:52:49 PM

+3 Boost

cptamazing

u don't know anything about Subaru yet u r spewing crap. Subaru's Boxer engines are one of the best. They are a bit thirsty but very performance oriented. Very Sporty.

2.0 I4, 2.5 I4 and H6 Boxer engines are surely one of the best. And i am sure the new Boxer diesel will also be one of the sportiest diesel engine.

I had all the current legacy variants and even the smallest engine 2.0 I4 (from 2007 onwards it was given a boost in BHP badged as 2.0 XP here in Middle East), is no short of power and is very sporty. 2.5 and H6 are beasts. They can surely rival the IS and 3 Series in performance both on road and track (maybe a bit slower in 0-60).

So please don't talk if u don't know anything about Subaru.

JUGNU

mini22 - 2/4/2008 5:53:35 PM

+3 Boost

Yes-and CPtamazing thinks that the flat six from the 911 is junk as well. The man lives up to his name.Did you know that most auto historians rate the aircooled 911 flat six one of the best sounding engines ever made.But the man's entitled to his opinion even if his DEAD WRONG. A light weight flat four engine from Subaru should give this RWD sports good power off the line. Also according to Left Lane News the car may indeed be coming to the US.

XYZZ - 2/6/2008 3:52:32 AM

+2 Boost

subies are also INCREDIBLY tough and long lived.

a coupla summers ago, i drove two older subarus, both with more than 220,000 miles on the clock.

their overall running condition was comparable to domestic (u.s.) cars with say just 90,000 to 160,000 miles.
with just one subie, it mite've been a freak. but TWO with similar high mileage and still running with perfect reliability was quite amazing.

and, this was in ALASKAN conditions too!

_43LE - 2/4/2008 3:32:20 PM

+5 Boost

Well, us educated people know that the bible is full of errors, contradictions, and is also missing quite a few original chapters. That's how much I trust it.

XYZZ - 2/6/2008 2:56:17 AM

+2 Boost

LOL! leave it to the guy with a comic book name to link his OPINIONS to the bible.

it is nothing short of FANTASTIC that he'd have DELUSIONS of grandeur, when he's simply GRANDly DELUDED.

XYZZ - 2/6/2008 3:27:33 AM

+2 Boost

AND i'll bet CplAma'Zoo couldn't even AFFORD to FEED a camel, much less buy one. nor would he know how to ride one, or even a more 'sporty' DONKEY! lol!

i'll also bet the vehicles in Jugnu's 'stable' are worth easily 5 - 10x whatever hack the corporal is driving.

Htay7500 - 2/4/2008 3:54:49 PM

+2 Boost

that "funny sound" that comes from most subarus are called the boxer rumble. amazing sound, almost like a V8. this is due to the unequal length of headers used in the boxer engine, and I forgot why they did this, but in japan, its all gone due to noise emissions and restrictions.


btw, that would be awesome if they made another GT4, especially with subarus symmetrical awd in a nice, sleek coupe form. keep us updated!!

Htay7500 - 2/4/2008 5:03:40 PM

+2 Boost

and heres an example when it is mildly modded:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=uFqNhEAyvwI&feature=related

Htay7500 - 2/4/2008 5:06:03 PM

+2 Boost

and another example of the stock STI exhaust:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=SJ38Ug6Fwp0&feature=related

Rupert - 2/4/2008 5:49:55 PM

+2 Boost

Toyota Europe was angry that Toyota stopped making the MR2 and Celica - they were good halo cars, been around for ages, good names. Glad they are coming back - cheap performance is always good, no matter who makes it. Hopefully this will give VW the kick to make the Scirocco.

mini22 - 2/4/2008 8:30:38 PM

+1 Boost

VW is making the Scirocco.It's just not coming to the US for the moment.Go to the "Car" magazine web sight and scroll down to videos.There is one of a camoflouged one racing around the Nurburgring.

Porschinator - 2/5/2008 9:51:31 PM

0 Boost

Celica vs 1 Series fan boy chatter...Funny how AWD and 300HP suddenly makes a car better than another or instantly match it.

Lets see how many mags even place the new Celica against the BMW 135. Also lets see how many prefer the Celica over 135 or vise versa. Some people do not get that cars are more than just Horse Power.

S4cabriofoxone - 2/6/2008 9:48:34 AM

0 Boost

This car sounds like it'll be awesome.

What's unnecessary is to compare it to the 135i. And Toyota fanboys act like they're so innocent.