Toyota Celica returns for 2027 WRC campaign

Toyota has confirmed the Celica name will return in 2027, with a new GR Celica Rally1 joining its World Rally Championship campaign. A road-going version, however, remains elusive at this stage.

The Celica will compete under the Toyota Racing banner alongside a new GR Yaris Rally1 entered by Gazoo Racing Toyota. The expanded operation plans to field up to six factory cars at individual events, with both teams operating from Toyota’s existing rally headquarters in Jyväskylä, Finland.

Defending world champion Elfyn Evans will lead the Celica squad, joined by Oliver Solberg and Sami Pajari. The Yaris team brings together Ott Tänak, Takamoto Katsuta and Kalle Rovanperä, with the latter contesting selected rounds rather than a full season.

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Toyota says the two cars will offer equal power and performance under the championship’s new technical regulations. Homologation is scheduled for completion before the end of 2026, with further vehicle details and liveries to be revealed ahead of the new season.

The announcement gives the Celica a significant role in Toyota’s future motorsport plans, reviving a badge closely associated with its rallying success.

Carlos Sainz won the drivers’ championship in a Celica in 1990 and 1992, followed by Juha Kankkunen in 1993 and Didier Auriol in 1994. More than three decades later, the name returns as Toyota changes the structure of its factory effort.

For sports car buyers, the obvious question is whether a showroom Celica will follow. Toyota’s announcement provides no production-car specifications, launch date or pricing.

The FIA’s 2027 regulations allow considerable freedom in body design, including bespoke rally concepts, rather than requiring every competitor to mirror an existing production model. That means the Celica can return to competition without Toyota first putting a corresponding road car into dealerships.