I agree to call it a Celica is just that, asinine, BUT I can understand the logic of Toyota. As a normal consumer, who's going to pay $23k for a miata sized Corolla? Giving it the name of Celica would mean a sporty model and more money. Most people would be like "Corolla FT86? I'm not going to pay more than $20k for that AND if I have to it better be fully loaded with leather, sunroof.. L-O-A-D-E-D" this is what the majority of buyers are going to think, not us enthusiasts or purists who prefer a light, sports car without those creature comforts.
Calling it a Celica affords them more $$$, than putting the car into the Corolla segment. Same reason why someone would buy a Subaru version for a few grand more. Name and brand. You know the Celica.. CelicaSupra lineage. This could be a door opener for a possible new Supra with a 325hp+ H6/H6T BASED on this chassis to fight the upcoming RX-9 that will be based off the new smaller miata chassis in 2013. You never know, depends how the market receives this car.
I can only imagine the name is being used for future car progression and to bring in the higher dollar.
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Originally Posted by ToyotaObsession
There hasn't been a RWD Celica since 1985. That's 26 years ago. This idea that because at one point the Celica was RWD and therefore this car should take on it's name is just asinine. Might as well call it the Model T because that was RWD.
I don't think Toyota is worried about how evening out the Generations.
Because the 86 was just a chassis code that became legendary. It's got underground appeal. People in the know what it really means.
How will the Celica name be more interesting? That doesn't even make sense.
I would be floored if they give it that name anywhere. As you noted, they have been practically screaming 86 since the FT-86's inception. It's drawn everything from that heritage. There is literally no incentive to name it after the Celica.
Other than they both have 4 wheels, and 2 doors. This car has nothing in common with the Celica.
I think people who want a name revived are letting passion get in the way of any kind of good judgement. Were all sad to see the Celica line die, but it's not coming back. Yet.
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