Toyota VP Hiroki Nakajima: “the Celica is… that's a daddy car, right?”

Toyota is actively working on a new Celica. This much we know already, based on rumblings in the industry, whisperings on the media grapevine, and the fact that one of Toyota’s top brass blurted it out two years ago. All subtle clues, you see.

Toyota’s bosses still aren’t allowed to say it openly, apparently, but speaking at the 24 Hours of Le Mans last weekend, executive vice president and member of the board of directors Hiroki Nakajima gave some invaluable background on what might be (read ‘is definitely’) behind the company’s push towards sportier cars. Celica included.

“Oh my God!” exclaimed Nakajima-san, when quizzed by TG about future GR models. “So, through motorsport activity, we would like to provide a better car. This is the most important element for us, from an engineering point of view, right? To get that fruitful result through motorsports.

“In a sense, we would like to provide [a] much more motorsports vehicle. Originally [with the] GR86, we partnered with Subaru; the Supra, we partnered with BMW. To be honest with you, we would like to provide the new car by ourselves.

“So we decided to develop the GR Yaris, and now the GR Corolla. And maybe next is… you know the name the Celica?” TG nods. “Oh! Do you like it?” TG nods again. “Oh! Me too. [It’s] my personal dream.

“Anyway, the Celica is… that's a daddy car, right? We develop the Celica in the future. Near, near future. My colleagues make a big effort to develop…” he tails off. “Just one word. Celica is my dream!” Translation: all this is his opinion for now. Nod, wink, etcetera.

And what of the Supra? Production of that joint venture with BMW ended earlier this year, having barely quickened the pulse despite the eventual (and worthwhile) u-turn on a manual version. Could a new one – fully embossed with Toyota DNA this time – be on the cards?

“The Supra? There is no information from Toyota Motor Corporation, I think.” Cue laughter in the room. “GR Corolla, GR Yaris, for example GR Celica – for example! – this [contributes] to expand the sales volume of the original Celica, original Corolla, original Yaris. This is a good harmonisation. This is a mass production area into the original car, right? Maybe Supra is another…

“But personally in the future… like a Supra. Like a Supra… personally!” We get the picture, this is all hypothetical. But what has Toyota got in its back catalogue that’s ‘like’ a two-seater sportscar? That’s right folks… the MR2. Hypothetically, of course.

Explains why the Japanese brand – dominating the WRC, winning Le Mans for the sixth time this weekend, and attached to Haas in F1 – is so heavily involved in racing.

“Motorsports for development, very exciting for engineers,” explains Nakajima-san. “That's a point. We don't care about the result. No, no, no. Engineers focus on the engineering.

“Such kind of behaviour is key to success, to survive in the market. So, as much as possible we’d like to support the sportscar area. That’s my passion.”