Subaru has finally added a manual gearbox to the WRX STI Sport, but the full STI revival still remains just out of reach, for now, at least.
Since the VB-generation Subaru WRX sedan arrived without a proper STI counterpart, enthusiasts have been waiting patiently, and sometimes impatiently, for a real WRX STI comeback. Every hint, teaser, or concept suggesting a true STI revival sparked excitement.
Optimism peaked with the WRX STI S210 prototype revealed roughly a year ago, but that hope quickly cooled. Without a manual transmission, Driver’s Control Center Differential, or meaningful power increase, it never felt like a worthy successor to the last genuine STI, which capped out at 341 horsepower and 330 lb-ft of torque.
Subaru only fanned the flames further with additional teases. Two STI-flavored concepts at the Japan Mobility Show, paired with cryptic marketing hints about sound, feel, and intent, made it seem as though a more substantial return might be coming.
And now it has arrived: the WRX STI Sport. It’s still not a full-bore STI, but the inclusion of a manual gearbox softens the blow for fans who have been eagerly waiting. The disappointment is muted rather than stinging.
Subaru has been deliberately quiet about the WRX STI Sport revealed in Tokyo. Officially, it’s described as a WRX S4 with a manual transmission and STI performance parts, a description that is accurate, if frustratingly vague.
Reading between the lines, it seems to be a manual-equipped evolution of the previously revealed WRX S4 STI Sport, rather than a completely fresh performance model.
The familiar FA24 2.4-liter turbocharged boxer-four engine carries over, producing roughly 275 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque. Power continues to be sent to all four wheels, now routed through a six-speed manual rather than Subaru’s performance CVT.
The focus remains on chassis balance and responsiveness, with Subaru highlighting “high-performance tires, electronically controlled dampers, and Brembo brakes, and exclusive STI parts are used to maximize driving quality.”
Design-wise, the WRX STI Sport♯ features blacked-out exterior elements, a subtle rear spoiler, dark pink skirt accents, and STI badging. Inside, Recaro seats upholstered in Ultrasuede complement the stick shift, while STI branding appears throughout the cabin.
Subaru has clarified that the WRX STI Sport♯ displayed at the Tokyo Auto Salon (TAS) remains a prototype. No production schedule, availability, or follow-up on the earlier limited 500-unit Japanese run has been shared.
Probably not. For buyers stateside, the WRX tS remains the most realistic option. For now, Subaru’s TAS showing functions more as a statement of intent than a firm production commitment.
The frustration is familiar. The STI Sport shows that Subaru is moving in the right direction, but it is still holding back. The manual gearbox is a positive step, yet the package falls short of a full revival.
Subaru fans are notoriously loyal to the idea of a WRX STI comeback. Maybe it won’t happen today, maybe not with this specific car, but hope, stubbornly, persists.
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