More details on Toyota's Celica replacement

rybo submitted on 02/03/2008 Official AutoSpies Timestamp: 8:47 PM
from: www.motorauthority.com

[59] user comments | category: Misc News

Tags: Toyota

Toyota

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. Read Article

Comments:

Images hosted in your AgentSpace can now be posted in the comments section using the following syntax (case matters):
[img]IMAGE URL[/img]
Example: [img]http://agent004.myautospies.com/users/150/Sample-Gallery/sample1.JPG[/img]

huu76 - 2/3/2008 10:07:32 PM

+3 Boost

Nice, Toyota and Suburu. 300hp AWD Celica.

Looks like the 1-series is already a goner. I can hear the fobs already crying.

reply to this comment

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.

1995e34 - 2/3/2008 10:37:16 PM

+5 Boost

no way it costs under 20k with 300hp and awd.

atomicbri - 2/4/2008 7:22:54 AMView My AgentSpace

+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 AMView My AgentSpace

+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.

1995e34 - 2/3/2008 10:34:54 PM

+5 Boost

"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."

a rwd celica...i like.

reply to this comment

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

+4 Boost

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

reply to this comment

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.

reply to this comment

1995e34 - 2/4/2008 12:27:25 AM

-3 Boost

they are the same car. think about it.

reply to this comment

1995e34 - 2/4/2008 12:38:53 AM

-2 Boost

you really think they'll produce both? toyota hasn't had anything sporty in a decade, and all of a sudden come out with two performance cars within $5-7k? sounds like wishful thinking. i'd love to see it. people say that i'm a dreamer, but i'm not the only one...

reply to this comment

atomicbri - 2/4/2008 7:24:15 AMView My AgentSpace

-1 Boost

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

reply to this comment

atomicbri - 2/11/2008 7:47:29 AMView My AgentSpace

+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.

reply to this comment

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

-7 Boost

Celica = stinky

Like a frickin' skunk!

reply to this comment

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

+5 Boost

EL34 = ???

Any guesses?

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...

reply to this comment

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.

reply to this comment

JUGNU - 2/4/2008 6:44:39 AMView My AgentSpace

+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

reply to this comment

JUGNU - 2/4/2008 6:55:35 AMView My AgentSpace

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 AMView My AgentSpace

-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.

reply to this comment

1995e34 - 2/4/2008 10:53:42 AM

+1 Boost

i recommend spending much more time on this site reading rather than writing. you have much to learn.

p.s. mr2

reply to this comment

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.

reply to this comment

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.

reply to this comment

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.

reply to this comment

1995e34 - 2/4/2008 12:00:54 PM

-1 Boost

i've had quite a bit of experience with subarus as well, and haven't experienced the rough engine. they do have quite a funny sound after a while though.

reply to this comment

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.

reply to this comment

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.

reply to this comment

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.

reply to this comment

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.

reply to this comment

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.

reply to this comment

JUGNU - 2/4/2008 2:52:49 PMView My AgentSpace

+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

reply to this comment

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.

_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.

reply to this comment

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!!

reply to this comment

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 PMView My AgentSpace

+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.

reply to this comment

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.

reply to this comment

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.

reply to this comment

S4cabriofoxone - 2/6/2008 9:48:34 AMView My AgentSpace

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.

reply to this comment

huu76 - 2/6/2008 9:10:49 PM

0 Boost

Whether North America gets just the FT-HS or they get this rocket, doesn't matter, both cars sound equally good.
Toyota has all the money in the world so they can sell it with no profit if they want to simply to hurt BMW's image (1-series soundly defeated by lower priced Toyota) while Lexus reaps the rewards of staying out of the economy segment.

Prochinater,
We can already estimate what a 300HP AWD Celica's performance will be, just look at the STi except the Celica will be lighter.

reply to this comment

To post a comment for this story, you must first Login.

If you do not have an account, you will need to Register (It's Free!).