Toyota is bringing one of its most iconic rally names back to the World Rally Championship. From 2027, the new GR Celica Rally1 will compete in the WRC’s top category, marking the return of the Celica name to the championship.

The announcement is part of a major expansion of Toyota’s rally programme. The manufacturer will operate two separate teams with different cars. Toyota Racing will campaign the GR Celica Rally1, while GAZOO Racing Toyota will compete with the new GR Yaris Rally1.

Both cars will be developed under the FIA’s new WRC27 regulations, which introduce a tubular frame chassis and give manufacturers greater freedom over exterior design. The regulations target approximately 290 hp from a sustainably fuelled 1.6 litre turbocharged engine, alongside four wheel drive and a five speed gearbox. Toyota says its two cars will deliver equal power and performance.

The six driver line up will feature defending world champion Elfyn Evans, Oliver Solberg and Sami Pajari in the GR Celica. Ott Tänak, two time champion Kalle Rovanperä and Takamoto Katsuta will drive the GR Yaris. Toyota is preparing to field up to six factory cars at individual rallies.

The Celica’s return does not, however, confirm that a road going model is imminent. The new regulations allow purpose built competition cars without requiring a production counterpart. Toyota has not announced a production GR Celica or confirmed its engine, layout or launch date.

Speculation about a future mid engined sports car and a new 2.0 litre turbo engine continues, but those details remain unconfirmed.

For now, the exciting news is firmly about rallying. After years of success with the Yaris, Toyota is preparing to put the Celica name back on the world’s biggest rally stages in 2027.