Is This 2027 WRC Car the Return of the Toyota Celica?

Daily Car

28/02/2026

Speculation is rife in the motorsport community as a camouflaged Toyota rally car has been spotted testing in Portugal. The sleek coupe design has ignited hopes that this could be the revival of the iconic Toyota Celica nameplate, potentially as the next World Rally Championship (WRC) contender.

Key Takeaways

A new Toyota rally car, potentially hinting at the next Celica, has been seen testing.
2027 WRC rules allow for greater flexibility in vehicle body styles.
The new WRC cars are designed to be simpler and more cost-effective.

A New Era for WRC Cars

The 2027 WRC season ushers in a new set of regulations that significantly alter the appearance and construction of rally cars. Unlike previous years, the rules now permit any vehicle body style to be fitted onto a unified safety cell. The primary constraints are dimensional: a length between 161.4 and 169.3 inches, and a maximum width of 73.8 inches. Aerodynamic components are also simplified, as evidenced by the test car's less complex wing, hood openings, and mirrors.

Technical Specifications and Cost Reduction

Underneath the new bodies, all WRC27 cars will share a standardized A-arm suspension system. Braking and steering components will be derived from Rally2 regulations, featuring four-piston brake calipers with 11.80–13.97-inch rotors, and hydraulically assisted power rack-and-pinion steering with a 1.5-turn lock to lock. The powertrain is standardized to a 1.6-liter turbocharged inline-four engine, mated to a five-speed manual transmission and a four-wheel-drive system.

The overarching goal of these changes is to make WRC more accessible and affordable. The FIA aims for these new cars to cost approximately 50 percent less than current Rally1-class cars on tarmac. This cost reduction extends beyond the vehicles themselves, with plans for reduced personnel, less logistical support, and increased remote engineering.

The Celica Question

While the possibility of this car being the next Toyota Celica is exciting, the new regulations also open the door for custom-built bodies. It's entirely possible that Gazoo Racing (GR) has designed a bespoke body specifically for WRC competition, with no intention of a production counterpart. However, Toyota has previously hinted at the potential return of the Celica. In May 2025, a senior Toyota executive mentioned that the company was working on a product that "could theoretically go by the Celica name." Even if this specific car remains a WRC-only model, it's likely to be marketed with a name tied to a production or historic model. The prospect of a Celica returning, especially with a classic Castrol livery, would undoubtedly evoke nostalgia for rally fans.

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