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)

[LewFX]

i know an architect at toyotas torrance headquarters...something has been in the works but because toyota took over the #1 position in sales over GM they didnt want to which from ecomony to performance just yet.

[95CelicaST]

last picture looks like someone's primered kit car

[LewFX]

LW-S looks like the civic

[njccmd2002]

a toyota civilica

[rjbibeau]

the LF-A is hella tits looks like a 300zx

[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

[xs94st]

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.

yep thats what im afraid of as well. the whole MPG idea that has spread across all car makers is a drain on all lower-priced autos. that is unless they keep one car primarily for performance, which is what most manufacturers do anyways.

[BloodyStupidDave...]

I worry about some of the choices getting put out there.

You raise several good points. If they can pull off something like the Tesla Roadster, I'm sure it will be a success. The articles didn't necessarily say that all three models would be called 'Celica' (although they can be read that way) - it seems just as likely that they'll call them all different names but one would assume that the three cars would look like siblings (just like the 5th gen Celica and the 2rd Gen MR2 did; or the 6th Gen Celica and the Supra MK IV).

This post has been edited by BloodyStupidDavey: Nov 27, 2007 - 3:28 PM

[playr158]

the LF-A won't be a basis for a celica
its already marketed for lexus and way more $ and power

[block]

let's hope it's not a FWD even though it states either RWD or AWD. the original celicas were RWD so that would be kool. if it's AWD, let it be turbo! hope they can bring back an updated version of the 3sgte, that would be badass! (even though it's not gonna happen!)

[LewFX]

the sportier turbo'ed matrix

[BloodyStupidDave...]

the LF-A won't be a basis for a celica
its already marketed for lexus and way more $ and power

I can't see why not. All they have to do is offer fewer options, standard trim and a crappier engine. Think of the difference between a US Curren and a Euro Celica GT. Essentially the same car, but big difference in price, market, performance, etc. A US Curren is still a good car, just not in the same league.

[OOBE]

FT-HS will never look like that. It even makes the LF-A look like from the 90s. I hate when they make a nice concept car, and it looks ten years older when it comes to production.

[Supersprynt]

I been reading about this for over a week and from the multiple sites I've read it's not even slated for North America as of right now. Doesn't mean it won't come here, but they haven't even thought of it yet.

[playr158]

the LF-A won't be a basis for a celica
its already marketed for lexus and way more $ and power

I can't see why not. All they have to do is offer fewer options, standard trim and a crappier engine. Think of the difference between a US Curren and a Euro Celica GT. Essentially the same car, but big difference in price, market, performance, etc. A US Curren is still a good car, just not in the same league.

since there was never a US Curren......you FAIL

plus name 1 car that was marketed for the low end econobox "sports" car......and a refined version marketed for the top sports car slot in a production line up?!
.....NEVER

This post has been edited by playr158: Nov 29, 2007 - 1:10 PM

[BloodyStupidDave...]

name 1 car that was marketed for the low end econobox "sports" car......and a refined version marketed for the top sports car slot in a production line up?!

The Supra will never be at the top-end again unless it becomes the Lexus Supra. It is pretty clear that the Toyota badge is going to be used for the mid-market in the near future. And we aren't talking about "1 car" - we are talking about "1 chassis". Even then, I'd expect the chassis to be subtly different between the different models (how many different ST20x chassis are there?).

Good call on the US Curren, thou

This post has been edited by BloodyStupidDavey: Nov 29, 2007 - 2:00 PM

[trdproven]

1. I say produce a rwd and 4wd model.
2. Keep it front engine.
3. Keep the four seater.
4. Keep a strong four cylinder model in.
5. Create a body that is still within the lines of the 6th gen celi and supra.
6. Have a lot of JDM accessories.

[thespacepanda]

1. I say produce a rwd and 4wd model.
2. Keep it front engine.
3. Keep the four seater.
4. Keep a strong four cylinder model in.
5. Create a body that is still within the lines of the 6th gen celi and supra.
6. Have a lot of JDM accessories.

Sooooooo.... a rwd and 4wd model scion tC. Got it.

[j0e_p3t]

1. I say produce a rwd and 4wd model.
2. Keep it front engine.
3. Keep the four seater.
4. Keep a strong four cylinder model in.
5. Create a body that is still within the lines of the 6th gen celi and supra.
6. Have a lot of JDM accessories.

Sooooooo.... a rwd and 4wd model scion tC. Got it.

i'd actually consider the tc if it came in a spec with a more powerful engine and awd/rwd. kinda like the usdm 6gc's and the gt-four.

This post has been edited by j0e_p3t: Nov 30, 2007 - 12:01 AM