The Toyota Celica, one of rallying’s most successful nameplates, could be heading back to the World Rally Championship in 2027, according to comments from Luis Moya, the longtime co-driver of former champion Carlos Sainz.
Moya said Toyota’s team is set to campaign a Celica as its Rally1 car while also fielding a Rally2 version, potentially marking a return to the championship where the model built much of its motorsport legacy.
A Rally Legend
The Toyota Celica began as a Japanese Mustang of sorts but went on to establish its own successful racing history. Rather than focusing on conventional circuit racing, the Celica made its name on rally stages around the world.
The model entered the World Rally Championship in 1976 and recorded several victories in the years that followed. It won the Safari Rally three consecutive times from 1984 through 1986, despite not being equipped with all-wheel drive during that period.
Even greater success followed in the 1990s. Carlos Sainz won WRC titles driving a Celica GT-Four in 1990 and 1992, while Juha Kankkunen claimed the championship in 1993 and Didier Auriol followed in 1994.
Toyota Celica Revival Takes Shape
Toyota has confirmed that the Celica is returning, with multiple figures within the company acknowledging the model’s revival ahead of its eventual world reveal.
Kankkunen, the 1993 champion, may also have been heavily involved in the vehicle’s development. Akio Toyoda hinted at his connection to the project during a Toyota Times interview.
“He was champion four times in the Celica. Now you can all have a think about why I’m using Kankkunen so much. See if you can guess!” Toyoda said.
A GR Badge and New Turbo Engine Expected
The returning Celica is not expected to follow the same approach as the Honda Prelude. Instead, it is expected to launch with a GR badge and could use Toyota’s new G20E turbo engine.
While details surrounding the production model remain limited, the latest comments from the rally world suggest Toyota’s plans for the Celica could extend well beyond a road-going revival.
Luis Moya Points to a 2027 WRC Return
In a recent update regarding Toyota’s 2027 World Rally Championship campaign, Moya revealed what could be major news about the automaker’s plans for next year’s competition.
Translated from Spanish by Rally Journal, Moya said: “We need to be patient about next year. At the moment, only a few teams have been confirmed, so we have to wait and see what happens. Next year will be a bit of a dull year, but we already know that the Toyota team is going to have a Celica.”
He added: “They are going to have a Celica as their Rally1 car, and they will have a Rally2 car as well.”
Questions Remain Over Toyota’s 2027 Plans
How Moya obtained the information is unknown, although he remains a prominent figure in the rallying world through his long association with Carlos Sainz.
If the information proves accurate, the new Toyota Celica could appear before the end of the year or in early 2027. A new WRC season typically begins in January, potentially providing an opportunity for the model to make its competition debut.
Another possibility is that Toyota could replace the GR Yaris with the Celica midway through the 2027 season. For now, the revived Celica continues to take shape, with Moya’s comments adding the prospect of a return to the World Rally Championship.
