Browse over 9,000 car reviews

Trending News

Still think electric vehicles are boring? The reborn Toyota Celica with 220kW and 1000km driving range will change your mind

The reborn Toyota Celica could be the world's sexiest EV (image: Response.jp)

While the incoming Toyota MR2 looks set to retain turbo-petrol power, the reborn Celica that will follow it will jump straight to solid-state battery tech, delivering impressive power outputs and a ridiculous driving range, according to new reports out of Japan.

The folks at Response – who also created the stunning render you see before you – are quoting sources that suggest the Celica is a go project, and will be based on the same EV architecture as the LF-ZC concept, which is slated for production in 2026.

That would align with recent reports that the MR2 will act as a petrol-powered send off to internal combustion, and will be powered by a version of the turbo-petrol engine from the GR Yaris and GR Corolla.

To follow – and to conclude the brand's "Three Brothers" strategy – would come the electric Celica, giving the Japanese giant an 86, MR2 and Celica line-up, or a MR2, Supra and Celica line-up.

According to Japanese media, the new Celica will be equipped with Toyota's sold-state battery technology, unlocking a driving range of up to 1000km between charges.

Its EV platform is already used by the Lexus LF-ZC, but also underpinned Toyota's FT-Se concept, unveiled at the Tokyo Mobility Show.

Reports suggest the new model will be built using Toyota new Gigacast process, designed to reduce complexity and cost in the manufacturing process. Essentially, the vehicle's body is moulded in a single piece.

The new Celica is also expected to be a rear- or all-wheel drive proposition, and to produce up to 220kW of EV grunt. It will also likely debut Toyota's virtual manual transmission – similar to the gearbox that appears in the Ioniq 5 N – to instil more driver fun.

Given the battery technology required, it's unlikely we'll see an electric Celica before 2026, but watch this space.

Andrew Chesterton
Contributing Journalist
Andrew Chesterton should probably hate cars. From his hail-damaged Camira that looked like it had spent a hard life parked at the end of Tiger Woods' personal driving range, to the Nissan Pulsar Reebok that shook like it was possessed by a particularly mean-spirited demon every time he dared push past 40km/h, his personal car history isn't exactly littered with gold. But that seemingly endless procession of rust-savaged hate machines taught him something even more important; that cars are more than a collection of nuts, bolts and petrol. They're your ticket to freedom, a way to unlock incredible experiences, rolling invitations to incredible adventures. They have soul. And so, somehow, the car bug still bit. And it bit hard. When "Chesto" started his journalism career with News Ltd's Sunday and Daily Telegraph newspapers, he covered just about everything, from business to real estate, courts to crime, before settling into state political reporting at NSW Parliament House. But the automotive world's siren song soon sounded again, and he begged anyone who would listen for the opportunity to write about cars. Eventually they listened, and his career since has seen him filing car news, reviews and features for TopGear, Wheels, Motor and, of course, CarsGuide, as well as many, many others. More than a decade later, and the car bug is yet to relinquish its toothy grip. And if you ask Chesto, he thinks it never will.
About Author
Trending News

Comments