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)

[Shink]

Hmmm. While I'm thrilled at serious rumours of bringing back the Celica, I worry about some of the choices getting put out there. The Celica should be a front engined, 2 door, tourer. I think there's a heritage to be protected, not to mention a strong market niche. The FT-HS seems to do this. It's pretty damn hot, too, which doesn't hurt. A RWD option would be nice, too, as that's my personal preference (and I think a lot of other people, especially over in the US/Canada) and plus allows for higher bhp mods. Going with a mid-engine design or something too 'sporty' would not be the right car. Why bring back the Supra - which is the LF-A below - or the MR2, and call it a Celica?

The other thing that worries me is the engine. Japanese cars seem a little obsessed with hybrid fuels and electric motors. I would hate to see the Celica name attached to an under-performing Celica shaped Prius. If they must go hybrid/electric for commercial reasons (CO2 emission offsetting, for example) then I hope they don't bring the Celica back in 2009, and that they wait until they can do it properly.

This post has been edited by Shink: Nov 27, 2007 - 2:03 PM