From GR Yaris M Concept to a Possible Celica
It all kicked off with the Toyota GR Yaris M Concept, which first showed up at last year’s Tokyo Auto Salon. Since then, sightings and credible anecdotes have kept the Celica name buzzing among fans who are desperate for Toyota to bring back another proper sports coupe.
Now, the prototype has popped up again – this time at Japan’s Super Taikyu Championship. And it’s not just a repeat performance: the car’s been seriously reworked, ditching its old look for a coupe body that finally starts to resemble what a modern Celica could be.
ORC – Ogura Racing Clutch/Instagram
Familiar Face, Completely Different Body
At first glance, you’ll spot the familiar GR Yaris face – same headlights up front, similar taillights out back. It even has the Yaris badge at the back. But look closer, and it’s clear: almost everything else has been thrown out and replaced.
According to Best Car, the prototype now sits a whopping 7.9 inches lower and stretches its wheelbase by almost 4 inches. It’s riding on a one-off chassis, too, so the proportions are a world away from your average GR Yaris.
The end result? A coupe that hugs the ground, rocks a wide stance, flared fenders, aggressive aero bits, and a rear wing that looks ready to launch the car into orbit. Up front, there are gaping vents and extra ducting everywhere, all in the name of keeping things cool under pressure.
But it’s not just for show. The first GR Yaris M Concept apparently had a tough time keeping its cool – literally – thanks to its shape. Now, with better airflow, the engine, intercooler, and brakes can finally breathe easy.
There’s an even bigger twist under the skin. Forget the regular GR Yaris’s front-mounted engine – the M Concept shoves its powerplant behind the front seats. The whole point? To see just how much a mid-engine setup can spice up handling and lap times.
ORC – Ogura Racing Clutch/Instagram
A 400-HP Turbo Engine and More Questions
Under the hood – or rather, behind the seats – you’ll find Toyota’s G20E 2.0-liter turbo four, mounted sideways in the middle. Best Car says it’s still pumping out about 400 horsepower, but now it can actually keep up the pace without overheating.
The engineers have been busy dialing in the handling, too. With torque split roughly 20:80 front to rear, this thing is all about tail-happy antics and carving up corners. Even Toyota boss Akio Toyoda has taken the updated car for a spin. He’s hinted there’s still work to do, so don’t expect a showroom-ready version just yet.
Will this actually turn into the next Celica? Or maybe the MR2? That’s still up in the air. Rumors keep swirling about a rally-bred Toyota coupe with all-wheel drive and a turbo engine, plus talk of both a six-speed manual and an eight-speed GR-DAT auto. But for now, Toyota’s keeping its cards close to the chest.
