Without BMW, a new Toyota Celica concept demonstrates what a pure Toyota sports car may be.

While the new Supra is a great sports car, HotCars digital artist Timothy Adry Emmanuel imagines a new Toyota-built Celica of his own.

In recent years, Toyota has been trying to revitalize enthusiasm in the brand by introducing new sports cars. However, to cut costs, they partnered first with Subaru to build the GR 86 (previously Scion FR-S and Toyota 86), then with BMW to build the MK5 GR Supra. While both sports cars are excellent in their own right, some purists were bothered that these Toyota sports cars seemed to be more BMW and Subaru than Toyota.

Taking this into account, the Toyota Celica has been absent from production lines for seventeen years now. HotCars digital artist Timothy Adry Emmanuel’s new digital concept shows what would happen if Toyota built a new sports car completely on its own, without help from other automakers, based on the 1988 Toyota Celica All-Trac Turbo .

Keep reading to see what this new Toyota Celica is all about.

The new Toyota Celica All-Trac Turbo should be able to compete with its modern peers but also have a connection to the original from 1988. Emmanuel captures these prerequisites perfectly. Starting at the front, this version of the Celica has a clear nod to the fourth generation with its identifiable front molding found under the hood and headlights.

But there are many new things here. Gone are the infamous folding headlights. There are now LEDs located in the front trim above the front bumper that features large side air intakes, a larger grille and a contrasting color front lip.

To the side, this reinvented Toyota Celica All-Trac Turbo has undergone a major upgrade. The doors and rear panels have a streamlined shape with defined linear contours that extend along the entire length of the vehicle.

There is a modern style side plinth with fins to match the front view of this Japanese legend. The greenhouse of this new Toyota Celica is much smaller than the original and has a more organic shape. The entire design flows into the rear, where there are more modern additions.

The rear of this fantasy Toyota Celica All-Trac Turbo has been almost completely redesigned. There is very little of the original car in the appearance of this new version from the rear, apart from the iconic “Celica” lettering badge at the base of the rear wing. A contrasting colored rear lip wraps around a modern diffuser and there is a memorable central arch containing the taillights.

Although this part of the car does not connect with the original model, it does offer this new Toyota Celica a unique, modern and very aggressive appearance.

While a new Toyota Celica has incredible aesthetics, it still needs a suitable engine to match this modern look. The original 1988 Toyota Celica has a 190 hp turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, but those kinds of numbers wouldn’t cut it in today’s market.

Like the GR Supra, the new Celica could come with 2 engine options. The first would be a base turbocharged 4-cylinder engine. The 2.4-liter engine in the Lexus NX350 and RX350 makes more sense and produces 275 hp.

For the top trim, the Celica could borrow the 3.5-liter turbocharged V6 from the Toyota Tundra. This engine makes a pretty healthy 437 hp in i-Force Max configuration. Both engines should please Toyota purists and be more than enough to compete with modern sports cars.

About the 1988 Toyota Celica All-Trac Turbo Source: Bring a Trailer

Toyota gave the All-Trac nickname to several models that had its four-wheel drive system. The Celica was one of the models included during a five-year period from 1988 to 1993, which spanned both the fourth and fifth generations. The rare 1988 model had a 190-hp, four-wheel-drive, 2.0-liter turbo engine.

Finding a clean 1988 Celica All-Trac Turbo today is not easy and could cost between $5,000 and $20,000, depending on condition. With many more Mk3 Supras available on the market for a similar price, that could be a better option for your classic Toyota sports car.