Rumours that Toyota is set to revive more of its iconic sports cars just won’t go away, and the Japanese manufacturer has just added more fuel to the fire.
Eagle-eyed fans of Toyota’s GRIP cartoon series have spotted references to several unreleased performance vehicles in a recent episode of the one-minute anime, including next-generation Celica and MR2 models.
The MR2 – a mid-engined, rear-wheel drive compact sports car – has been missing from Toyota’s lineup since 2007, when the third-generation convertible was discontinued.
100s of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now.
However, the second season of GRIP kicked off by teasing a Mk4 MR2, following years of speculation surrounding an all-new successor for the popular MkIII.
Likewise, the list of future sports cars seen in GRIP also includes the ‘Celica Mk8’, suggesting the revival of another famous Toyota nameplate that has sat dormant for nearly two decades.
Production of the seventh-generation Celica coupe ended back in April 2006, after the model fell victim to a slump in the Japanese sports car market that saw iconic models such as the Mazda RX-7, Toyota Supra and Nissan 240SX disappear from showrooms.
Late last year, Toyota chairman Akio Toyoda told Toyota Times magazine that he was pushing for a new Celica.
“Well, I have [put in a request for a new Celica], but I don’t know what name it will come out under,” he said.
FT-Se concept
In addition to hinting at the revival of the MR2 and Celica nameplates, the recent episode of GRIP made mention of the GR GT3 race car, which is expected to make its race debut in the LMGT3 category of the World Endurance Championship (WEC) in 2026.
Evolutions of the Supra and GR86 sports cars round out the list of featured performance machines. Despite speculation that the current fifth-generation Supra is set to be discontinued without a ready replacement, representatives for Toyota in Australia have guaranteed its future.
“There is no plan to discontinue the Supra brand in this car company. I know that,” said Sean Hanley, Toyota Australia vice president of sales, marketing and franchise operations recently.
The future of the GR86, Toyota’s entry-level performance coupe, is less clear.
MORE: Everything Toyota
MORE: Toyota’s sports car range could grow to include more icons
