The World Rally Championship (WRC) will undergo significant changes for the 2026 season as the series’ technical regulations are comprehensively revised. The aim of the changes is to make the championship more accessible to new teams and to reduce overall costs. Toyota has already begun testing its new car, taking the first concrete steps toward the new era.
Toyota Gazoo Racing recently ran its new prototype in testing in Portugal. A local rally fan managed to capture images of the car, and based on those photos, Toyota may be preparing to move on from its current GR Yaris rally model. Although no official confirmation has been given, the shape of the camouflaged prototype does not fully match the current car, fueling speculation about a significant model change.
Toyota’s Technical Director, Tom Fowler, confirmed to DirtFish that the team is currently running its 2026 prototype. According to Fowler, the original target was to get the car running in 2026, and that objective has been achieved on schedule. The car has already completed several test sessions and accumulated more than 2,000 kilometers of running.
The biggest question is which production model forms the basis of the new project. One of the strongest rumors suggests a possible return of the Toyota Celica to the top level of rallying. The Celica holds an important place in Toyota’s rally history, and the name carries strong memories of the brand’s success in the 1990s. A potential GR Celica rally version would be both a technically and commercially significant move.
For now, Toyota has not confirmed which model will underpin its 2026 challenger. What is clear, however, is that the team is preparing for major changes and intends to be at the forefront when the new regulations come into force. If the speculation proves accurate, the WRC could witness one of the most notable model comebacks in decades.
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