Rumormill: Subaru to build new Toyota Celica

Rumormill: Subaru to build new Toyota Celica

Filed under: Coupes, Hybrids/Alternative, Sports/GTs, Hatchbacks, Subaru, Toyota
[IMG2=left]http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/02/toyota-ft-hs_naias---17_opt.jpg[/IMG2]
click above for more high-res images of the Toyota FT-HS Concept
The rumor mill is up and running again this week, churning out reports of a new Toyota Celica. While the Toyota line-up once included a variety of sports-coupes, since the cancellation of the Supra, MR2 and Celica, it's had nothing but sedans, hatchbacks, vans and trucks to offer. Rumor has it that a new Celica is on the way, to be built by Subaru, in whose parent company Fuji Heavy Industries Toyota acquired significant stake back in 2005.
If reports out of Japan's BestCar are to be believed, the new Celica will come in two versions: the base GT, with a naturally-aspirated 2-liter Subaru boxer four driving the rear wheels, and a hopped-up GT-Four version with the 300-hp turbo engine from the JDM Impreza STi and all-wheel-drive. The GT-Four could also be a sort of performance hybrid, gaining small electric motors in each of the four wheels. Both the GT and GT-Four are tipped to be available in either two-door or three-door bodystyles, since the Impreza is offered only as a sedan and five-door for this current generation. The new Celica, the styling of which could draw on the FT-HS concept car from last year's Detroit show (pictured above), is reportedly being readied for a launch in Japan next year.
[Source: MotorTrend]
Gallery: Toyota FT-HS Concept




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I've seen and read about this in another forum thread somewhere. It's a great change. A Toyota rebadged Subie motor. What is this world coming to?

So, now I wonder how this will impact Subaru's own sales? Especially the WRX.

It won't. I guarantee it.

Hmm you're right. It might actually help them.

haha, i got to this before the autoblog did!!!

haha and I remember you did a better in depth job with it too.

If they do end up building it, I hope they take some styling cues from the old ST185 All-trac, I loved that car!

So much, that I might even consider getting one once as my next car (and keeping the Rolla as my daily).

I doubt it will look anything like the Celica. It would look more like the current Toyota line.

Gah... I just hope that if Subaru builds it, that it looks FAR from the concept version. Far from it...

Generations Never End.

I like the middle pic, Celica GT4 sounds good news, It's just a waiting game now but i'm saving up for it.

GENERATIONS NEVER END.