Monday 4th February 2008

Scooby Celica In The Pipeline

Report: Next Celica to have Subaru STI power

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It may not look like this

The next Toyota Celica is to be built by Subaru, the Monday morning rumour mill has reported.

It has been reported that the replacement for the Celica will arrive next year in Japan and is a joint effort between the two car makers.

It is expected to come in two variants – a high-performance four-wheel drive GT-Four and a more sedate GT model.

Toyota is hoping to put the GT on the market in the US for just over £10,000.

It will feature a front- mounted, naturally aspirated 2.0 litre Subaru engine and rear-wheel drive.

The pricier GT-Four is understood to be getting the same 300bhp turbo four seen in the Japanese-spec Impreza STI.

Both cars could come in a coupe and three-dour hatch bodystyles.

[ScoobieWRX]

So Subaru can put a good engine into what will undoubtedly be a cracking looking Celica but can't manufacture a good looking Impreza for themselves.

So all current Scooby owners will be buying into a future scooby powered Celica that i am sure will be awesome to drive. I think Subaru might be shooting themselves in the foot if this goes ahead.

I'd love to see it though!!

[Raging Demon]

Sounds like fun can't wait to see what they come up with

[havoc]

A coupe with STi running gear?!?

Not original...Prodrive already thought it...but great idea!!!

[VladD]

havoc said:

A coupe with STi running gear?!?

Not original...Prodrive already thought it...but great idea!!!

Eh? You mean the P2? Which came after the P1? Which was based on the Type-R, which Subaru did first.

[corcoran]

Mmmmm pretty sure that they've discontinued "Celica" as a model (like mr2, corolla).. so that WOULD be interesting to see a subaru built toyota.. or is that a toyota built subaru.. or a tubaru.. or .. god, i'm confused.

existing GT model is a hoot (mine is that colour) but could do with another 60 ponies, just to make it stand apart from existing t-sport, 190, etc... though i 'spose that's a moot point.

[tim200sx]

300 bhp in compact(ish) rwd coupe? Yes please!

[kambites]

Will it really end up being RWD though or 4WD? I hope it's RWD, producing a direct competitor to the 350Z I suppose, but I'm not holding my breath.

[Mr E]

Erm - I'm pretty sure the Celica name is dead and buried.

That being said, I'd love a new GT-Four.

[cheesesliceking]

i cant put into words how much this car will never ever happen.

[dublet]

As long as it looks better than the Gen 7, I'd might have to get one of them.

[Toltec]

How about a production scooby powered rwd 2 seater

MR2 STi or MX5 Sti anyone?

[Wadeski]

cheesesliceking said:

i cant put into words how much this car will never ever happen.

why not?

Toyota did buy Subaru, after all?

[kambites]

Toltec said:

How about a production scooby powered rwd 2 seater

MR2 STi or MX5 Sti anyone?

http://www.murtaya.com/  - OK so it's 4wd but otherwise it fits the bill.

Edited by kambites on Monday 4th February 14:01

[rjes77]

cheesesliceking said:

i cant put into words how much this car will never ever happen.

Toyota and Subaru are already co-operating on the next gen of Legacy which supposedly will feature a hybrid option.

No reason why this co-operation wouldn't extend to sharing engines in a reciprocal agreement.

[Neomagic]

Sounds cool to me!

[Toltec]

kambites said:

Toltec said:

How about a production scooby powered rwd 2 seater

MR2 STi or MX5 Sti anyone?

http://www.murtaya.com/  - OK so it's 4wd but otherwise it fits the bill.

Edited by kambites on Monday 4th February 14:01

and not production but apart from that yes. I had an enjoyable run out in one last year at Brands Hatch and am still tempted by the idea, the styling is not to everyones taste though.

[Fidgits]

Mr E said:

Erm - I'm pretty sure the Celica name is dead and buried.

That being said, I'd love a new GT-Four.

yeah, it wont be called a celica...

but hey, a 300bhp 4WD coupe sounds interesting regardless of what they call it!

[kambites]

Toltec said:

kambites said:

Toltec said:

How about a production scooby powered rwd 2 seater

MR2 STi or MX5 Sti anyone?

http://www.murtaya.com/  - OK so it's 4wd but otherwise it fits the bill.

Edited by kambites on Monday 4th February 14:01

and not production but apart from that yes. I had an enjoyable run out in one last year at Brands Hatch and am still tempted by the idea, the styling is not to everyones taste though.

Takes after its donor in more than mechanical ways then.

Seems to me that the boundary between production and kit is blurring anyway. Most kit car manufacturers will fully build the car for you from new components if you ask them to and some of them get very close to the fit and finish of, say, Lotus when they do (if not better).

[vino 187]

what an ugly car that celica is. when did toyota last make a good looking motor? supra maybe or even the gt4? so over 10 years then. thank god they are teaming up with subaru who also know how to make an awful looking car. cant wait. maybe they could call it a poobaru. and thats not mentioning both marques lovely plastic fantastic interiors. maybe call it a toyotat?

[Ed.]

A new subaru that doesnt look like a new subaru, what could be better!