The two sports cars are expected to share a new turbocharged 2.0-liter engine but use completely different layouts
The new GR Celica is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated revivals in years. The name alone carries plenty of nostalgia, but this return doesn’t mean the end for Toyota’s current sports car lineup. Both the GR 86 and GR Supra are set to live on with new generations, each aiming for its own slice of the performance market.
While official details remain scarce, new reports give us a glimpse at how these three GR models could fit together without stepping on each other’s toes.
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The next GR 86 is tipped to stay in its role as the entry-level sports coupe, filling the same affordable niche the original Celica once did. That positions the reborn GR Celica higher up the food chain, expected to be more powerful and more expensive, edging closer to Supra territory. Which naturally raises a question: how does Toyota stop its new star from stealing the Supra’s thunder?
Distinct Characters
The answer may be to give each car its own DNA, a character that extends way beyond styling differences. According to Japanese outlet Best Car citing inside sources, the GR Celica is expected to adopt a mid-engine, all-wheel-drive setup with a non-electrified powertrain producing around 400 hp. The GR Supra, by contrast, is rumored to stay front-engined and rear-wheel drive, with a hybrid system contributing to a combined output of around 500 horsepower.
All of the above raises the question why Toyota wouldn’t simply bring back the MR2 badge for a mid-engine model instead of Celica, as earlier reports suggested. One possibility is that the company is saving that name for a future electric sports car.
Names aside, the shared thread between the two would be a newly developed turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine that is currently under development, with the GR Supra pairing it to hybrid assistance to further boost performance. The report claims that the electric motor and battery pack could be mounted behind the two-seater cabin, and the propeller shaft could be made of carbon fiber.
Transmission Choices
Both the Celica and Supra are rumored to offer the same gearbox options, either a six-speed manual or an eight-speed automatic, just like the GR Corolla and GR Yaris. That would give purists the pedal they crave while still catering to those who prefer paddles.
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Toyota hasn’t confirmed or denied the mid-engine speculation surrounding the GR Celica. What is certain is that the company is testing a mid-engined prototype originally thought to be a mule for the rumored MR2 revival. This leaves open the possibility that a Celica coupe and an MR2 roadster could return side by side, potentially sharing the same foundations.
When They Land and What They Might Cost
Reports from Japan suggest that the new GR Supra could arrive in 2027, with the GR Celica following in 2028, possibly after the reveal of a concept in 2027. Keep in mind that Toyota recently admitted of having problems with the development of the mid-engined GR Yaris M prototype, something that could push back the launch of a production model with the same layout.
And pricing? For now it’s all speculation, but Best Car suggests the next GR Supra could be priced between ¥8–10 million ($54,100–67,700) in Japan, making it more expensive than its predecessor yet still below the ¥15 million ($86,600) Final Edition. Remember, Japanese prices typically come in lower than US equivalents, so actual figures abroad could climb noticeably higher, depending on tariffs too.
The GR Celica is also rumored to carry a hefty tag, coming in around ¥7–8 million ($47,400–54,100). As with the Supra, these figures are speculative and should be taken with caution. Hopefully Toyota won’t keep enthusiasts waiting too long before offering something concrete to chew on.
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Thanos Pappas, a product design engineer by trade, has been wading through automotive journalism for… Read full bio

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