Subaru is giving the WRX STI the one thing many drivers still associate with the badge, a manual gearbox.
The catch is a familiar one for enthusiasts outside Japan. The manual-equipped WRX STI is planned for the Japanese domestic market only, with no US launch in the cards.
At a glance
- The Subaru WRX STI will add a manual transmission option for Japan, with sales scheduled to begin in November 2026.
- It uses the TY85 heavy-duty gearbox from the previous-generation WRX STI, with updates for the current car.
- Subaru says race-car-derived engine control mapping is intended to sharpen throttle response from the turbocharged 2.4-liter boxer engine.
A manual WRX STI for the home market
The decision follows Subaru’s earlier limited-edition WRX STI Sport with a manual gearbox.
This time, the manual is not being treated as a one-off special. Due to popular demand, it will be offered as a standard option in Japan.
That matters because the WRX STI has long been tied to driver involvement, and the manual gearbox remains a central part of that identity for many buyers.
For US enthusiasts, the news will be bittersweet. The manual version is not planned for America.
The TY85 gearbox gets a second life
The transmission is the TY85, a heavy-duty gearbox used in the previous-generation WRX STI.
It was close to being phased out, but Subaru has adapted it for the new WRX STI instead.
Subaru says the integration of the TY85 transmission with the new WRX was completed in just one year, a notably short turnaround for a drivetrain update.
Engineers also made changes to the gearbox as part of the installation, though Subaru has not detailed every mechanical alteration.
Race-derived mapping and the 2.4-liter boxer
The manual WRX STI will be paired with Subaru’s turbocharged 2.4-liter boxer engine.
Subaru says the engine control mapping software is derived from its race cars and is intended to improve throttle response.
The aim is clear enough. This version is being positioned around feel and engagement, not just the availability of another transmission choice.
Details & Specifications
| Brand | Subaru |
|---|---|
| Model | WRX STI |
| Engine | Turbocharged 2.4-liter boxer |
| Transmission | TY85 manual gearbox |
| Market | Japanese domestic market only |
| US availability | Not planned |
| On-sale timing | November 2026 in Japan |
The manual WRX STI won’t satisfy everyone, largely because so many markets are left out.
Still, its existence is encouraging for drivers who value a mechanical link between car and road, and it shows Subaru still sees a place for that experience in its performance lineup.
