Toyota’s GR Celica Rally1 programme appears to be advancing toward its debut, with a prototype now showing more of the bodywork intended for the Japanese manufacturer’s next World Rally Championship challenger.
The car is set to take over from the GR Yaris Rally1, Toyota’s dominant current contender in the top tier of the WRC. The latest sighting offers a clearer indication that development is progressing beyond an early, heavily disguised test phase.
The GR Celica name links Toyota’s future rally effort to one of its most recognisable performance badges, while signalling a significant change for a works team whose GR Yaris has become a familiar presence at championship level.
Details of the new car’s technical specification and launch timetable have not been disclosed. The prototype’s emergence nevertheless suggests that Toyota is closing in on the next stage of its Rally1 transition, according to a report by Carscoops.
