Subaru brings back the manual WRX – using the old STI gearbox
Subaru plans to reveal a WRX with a six-speed manual as a regular production model in Japan in November 2026. An official video shows how the written-off STI gearbox was saved.
Photo: Dinkun Chen / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped and resized)
Video: YouTube · SUBARU On-Tube · youtube.com
Subaru has launched a teaser website in Japan for a new WRX due to be revealed in November 2026. The key change is a six-speed manual as a permanent production version. According to Carscoops and Motor Illustrated, it uses the heavy-duty TY85 gearbox from the previous WRX STI. Until now, Japan only had the WRX STI Sport♯ special edition with a manual, limited to 600 cars allocated by lottery and fitted with the smaller TY75 gearbox.
An official Subaru development video tells the story behind the return. According to the reports, engineers believed the TY85 could no longer be built but then found a partner factory still making it. A small team worked on the project for about a year from early 2025, and the engine control of the 2.4-liter turbocharged boxer was recalibrated using racing experience. Subaru has not released output figures yet.
Subaru is making room for the manual: according to Car-Repo, production of the current WRX S4 with a continuously variable transmission has ended and only dealer stock remains. Subaru's website announces three new manual models: the WRX with the TY85, a BRZ complete car and a five-door hatchback. Subaru has not said whether the manual WRX will be sold outside Japan.