Celica Or MR2? Which Nameplate Should Toyota Revive As A Supra Sibling?

Rumors continue to circle about Toyota adding another dedicated sports car to its range, and the new vehicle could potentially revive classic models like the Celica or MR2 (speculatively rendered above).

"We want to have Celica back, we want to have the MR2 back," Masayuki Kai, the Supra's Assistant Chief Engineer, told Road & Track. "Now that we've brought Supra back, what will come next depends on the market needs."

According to Kai, the new Celica might be an all-wheel-drive coupe, which would reference previous AWD variants like the All-Trac and GT-Four. However, the first two generations of the Supra were variants of the Celica, so if Toyota wanted to maintain a link to the past, we think the company should use the platform to create a less expensive, more basic machine.

TomM - 9/21/2018 12:16:31 PM

+3 Boost

WHy not bring back "CORONA" - just the ticket for the average toyota buyer!

countguy - 9/21/2018 12:18:49 PM

+3 Boost

Celica

xjug1987a - 9/21/2018 3:14:17 PM

+1 Boost

Neither... however the MR2 GenII was great looking, I nearly bought one in 1990. Mid-engine balance, Toyota durability, Ferrari looks... loved that car...

valhallakey - 9/21/2018 5:34:13 PM

+3 Boost

Unfortunately I have to agree. I would love to see a revived MR2, but either the MR2 nor a Celica would likely do well in the current environment. I too almost bought an MR2 in 1995, it was a used 92 turbo, sweet car...but ended up getting a new 95 M3. Now a neighbor has a 92 turbo that I stare at as I drive by it everyday while my M3 is long gone...

CANADIANCOMMENTS - 9/21/2018 5:57:27 PM

+3 Boost

@xjug1987a - What held you back from the purchase? I was a broke university student at the time but would have loved to have owned one.

MBguy - 9/21/2018 6:25:19 PM

+3 Boost

Do either of those names really matter to anyone under 50 years old?

vdiv - 9/22/2018 12:26:04 AM

+2 Boost

Yes it does, some of these cars are still on the street.

MDarringer - 9/21/2018 6:55:48 PM

-1 Boost

Neither. The GT86 is a disaster. The Supra is likely to be $25-30K overpriced and will be easily eclipsed. Toyota needs to give up.

If the MR2 was a 20K machine, the Celica a 25K RWD "Mustang" and the Supra a $40K "Mustang GT/Camaro SS then they'd have something, but with the GT86 hovering easily above $30K on the lot...

PUGPROUD - 9/21/2018 7:14:17 PM

+1 Boost

MR2 my choice but unlikely as a single model rear engine chassis not economical compared to a Celica that can share a GT86 or other Toyota front engine chassis.

MDarringer - 9/21/2018 8:47:45 PM

0 Boost

NOOOO Then the Celica would have the horrible Subaru engine.

ricks0me - 9/21/2018 7:43:53 PM

0 Boost

Celica

Celica was always the cheaper alternative to a Supra back in the day.

wilfred - 9/21/2018 8:02:51 PM

+3 Boost

Celica, if Toyota will also be using the BMW 4 cylinder into the new Supra.

MR2, if it will be a mid-engine 2 seater.

Either way, it will be interesting to see how it will do against the GT86...

qwertyfla1 - 9/22/2018 10:58:23 AM

0 Boost

Both were great cars for their time but why build a new product for a shrinking market demographic unless of course you would be the last man standing in that game as all other marque switch niches to CUV and derivatives?

skytop - 9/23/2018 4:17:56 PM

+1 Boost

MR3