Subaru Brings Back The Manual Of The WRX STI, But Not For Us (Yet)
The heavy-duty TY85 six-speed manual has been revived for a mass-produced WRX version in Japan.
Japanese enthusiasts craving a manual transmission in the latest generation of the Subaru WRX were left with the limited-production WRX STI Sport♯, which was only available for 600 lucky buyers through a lottery system. However, the automaker is finally answering their calls for 2027, announcing that a manual WRX will join the standard-production catalog as a permanent model.
What is even more interesting, is that the six-speed manual transmission that will be fitted in the new Japanese-spec WRX variant won't be the familiar TY75 found in the US-spec model or the aforementioned WRX STI Sport♯. Instead, Subaru has revived the heavy-duty TY85 gearbox from the long-discontinued previous-generation WRX STI.
The official teaser page features a development documentary titled "The path to the revival of a mass-produced MT model". The 15-minute-long film confirms earlier reports about the return of the TY85 transmission, explaining why it was decided and how it was achieved.
Saving the manual from the chopping block
Subaru engineers revealed that the TY85 was dangerously close to extinction, as manual transmission assembly lines were being scrapped one by one to accelerate electrification efforts. The team initially thought that the TY85 could no longer be built, only to discover that production in a partner factory was fully operational. This spark started the fire, with the Subaru management assembling a small skunkworks team in early 2025 and tasking them to deliver a new product with a fast-tracked development cycle.
By using motorsport mentality, the team managed to complete the project in just one year. Interestingly, this wasn't just a simple retrofit of the TY85 gearbox to the WRX, with more technical upgrades aiming for the highest fun-to-drive effect.
The engine control mapping software is derived from Subaru race cars, allegedly giving the turbocharged 2.4-liter boxer the direct and instant throttle response of a naturally aspirated engine. According to engineers who drove the performance sedan during development, the combination of the boxer with the TY85 manual and the rigidity of the latest WRX chassis creates a completely different feeling compared to previous iterations.
Will It Come To America?
The debut of the mass-produced manual WRX in the Japanese market is scheduled for November 2026. It remains to be seen whether the new gearbox will be combined with any styling or chassis upgrades. To make room for the new variant, Subaru is ending production of the current CVT-equipped WRX S4 STI Sport grades in the local market.
It's worth noting that this WRX will be one of three manual Subaru models set to debut by 2027. The performance sedan will be joined by a lightweight version of the BRZ coupe with more aggressive aero, and a yet-unnamed five-door hatchback.
The automaker has yet to disclose plans for a wider availability of the WRX with the STI-sourced manual, but such a move could help justify the R&D investment. It could just be wishful thinking, but the new variant could hit North American shores as part of model year updates for 2027 or 2028.
Until then, Subaru fans can focus on the 2027 WRX GD25 special edition featuring special exterior and interior touches and a limited production of 350 units for the US. This one gets the simpler TY75 manual gearbox, the standard 271 hp (202 kW / 275 PS) boxer engine, gold-finished 19-inch alloy wheels and uprated brakes.