Engine Automotive

The 2012 Toyota Celica is a low-cost sports car that is being working on jointly by Subaru and Toyota. The Toyota version is not confirmed for the U.S. market, but it is expected by industry experts to make its debut in 2012 for under $20,000.

The Celica brand was dropped by Toyota in 2005. When the vehicle returns, it will be a rear-wheel drive vehicle with a Subaru four cylinder engine. It will be a welcomed addition to the Toyota line-up which has been criticized for not containing any interesting, youthful cars.

Toyota already has ties with Subaru’s parent company, Fuji Heavy Industries. Toyota holds a 8.7% stake in the company, and Subaru already builds Camry’s for Toyota at its Lafayette, Indiana facility. It is rumored that Toyota is planning to double its stake in Fuji so that Toyota can gain access to Subaru’s engine and all-wheel drive technology.

The 2012 Toyota Celica is rumored to be a sloped-roof hatchback. It will probably be set-up as a four-passenger vehicle with a tight rear seat package. It is not clear which engine will be used for the new Celica. Some reports suggest the 1.5L Impreza engine will be used, while others think the Celica will come with a larger 2.0L or 2.5L engine. Subaru’s 2.5L engine is already certified to U.S. emissions requirements, so this second rumor does have some weight to it.

It is expected that no matter which base engine does finally go into the Celica that it will deliver 170 to 175 horsepower. Also, the entire vehicle will have a weight target of 2,425 pounds to help improve the engine’s performance and keep the fuel usage down. The base engine will likely be coupled with a six-speed manual and an optional automatic transmission. There is also talk of a premium turbocharged engine in the plans that will deliver 300 horsepower.

The 2012 Toyota Celica is expected to come standard with antilock brakes, side airbags, and air conditioning.Competition in the sporty but affordable segment is likely to be fierce in the 2012 time frame. The Honda Civic, Mazda 3, and BMW Mini are all likely to be direct competitors for the 2012 Toyota Celica. One thing is for certain, though. If this Subaru-Toyota venture does go into production, it will provide a nice addition to Toyota’s U.S. line-up

2012 Toyota Celica Release Date: The production of the car is most likely to start in late 2011. The car is most likely to be launched first in Japan then US. The US versions for 2012 Toyota Celica is likely to arrive early in 2012.