Toyota fans have been living in a bit of a golden era lately, and the rumor mill says there may be even more on the way. With talk of the GR Yaris and GR Corolla continuing, a new turbocharged four-cylinder headed for the next-gen GR86, and the Supra potentially evolving beyond its current partnership roots, Toyota already has a crowded performance roadmap. That’s why a newly spotted camouflaged coupe testing on rally roads in Portugal has people asking the obvious question: did Toyota just quietly show the world its next Celica, at least in rally form?
The spy clips making the rounds show a low, dusty, heavily disguised machine that does not look like anything Toyota fields today. It’s clearly not a Yaris-based car given the roofline and proportions, and it doesn’t fit the shape you’d expect from an 86 either, especially since top-level rally cars demand all-wheel drive. From certain angles it even looks a bit taller than expected, which adds to the intrigue, but overall it reads like a purpose-built rally coupe with a stubby, muscular stance and a hood that appears to be aggressively vented.
What makes the timing even more interesting is where the World Rally Championship is headed. The 2027 regulations have been framed around reducing costs and encouraging more manufacturers to join the party, with simpler hardware and more shared components compared to today’s top class. If Toyota is serious about staying ahead of the curve, it makes sense that testing mules and early development cars would start popping up now, long before anything official is ready for a stage start.
So is it the Celica? Nobody outside Toyota is saying yet, but the pieces sort of click. Toyota leadership has hinted more than once about iconic nameplates returning, and a rally-flavored coupe would be a very on-brand way to reintroduce one with real credibility. A modern Celica that ties into WRC would instantly carry heritage weight, and it would give Toyota a marketing story that feels authentic instead of retro-for-the-sake-of-retro.
If this camouflaged machine is indeed aimed at a 2027 debut, the clock is ticking on when Toyota will have to show its hand. Rally programs do not stay secret forever, and as testing ramps up, details always start to leak. Until then, this is exactly the kind of sighting that keeps enthusiasts glued to grainy videos and forum threads, because if Toyota is cooking up a new Celica-inspired rally weapon, it’s the sort of move that could make the next couple of years very exciting.
Lloyd Tobias is a seasoned automotive journalist and passionate enthusiast with over 15 years of experience immersed in the world of cars. Whether it’s exploring the latest advancements in automotive technology or keeping a close pulse on breaking industry news, Lloyd brings a sharp perspective and a deep appreciation for all things automotive. His writing blends technical insight with real-world enthusiasm, making his contributions both informative and engaging for readers who share his love for the drive. When he’s not behind the keyboard or under the hood, Lloyd enjoys test driving the newest models and staying ahead of the curve in an ever-evolving automotive landscape.
