Tag Archives: BRZ

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Subaru Doubles Down on Three Pedals: WRX, BRZ, and a Mystery Hatchback Get Manual Transmissions by 2027

In an era where dual-clutch gearboxes shift faster than any human ever could and electrification continues its relentless march, Subaru has decided to throw enthusiasts a lifeline. Better yet, it’s a lifeline with three pedals attached.

During a media roundtable at Japan’s Fuji 24 Hours race, Subaru confirmed that three new manual-transmission models are headed for showrooms by 2027. The lineup includes a WRX sedan, a hotter BRZ coupe, and perhaps most intriguingly, an all-new five-door hatchback that promises to carve out its own identity within Subaru’s performance family.

It’s the clearest signal yet that Subaru still sees value in driver engagement, even as much of the industry moves in the opposite direction.

The Return of the Manual WRX

For many enthusiasts, the biggest news is the WRX.

While Subaru recently offered a manual-equipped WRX STI Sport♯ in Japan, that model was limited to just 600 examples distributed through a lottery system. Now the manual is set to return permanently to the WRX range, and Subaru isn’t taking shortcuts.

Rather than using the TY75 gearbox found in the current WRX tS and STI Sport♯, the company is resurrecting the tougher TY85 six-speed manual from the previous-generation WRX STI. Subaru says the transmission was chosen specifically for its durability and reliability, suggesting the engineers expect drivers to use it exactly as intended.

The teaser image accompanying the announcement also reveals a familiar hood scoop, strongly hinting that the WRX will continue to rely on Subaru’s turbocharged 2.4-liter boxer four without any form of electrification. For purists worried about hybrid assistance diluting the WRX formula, that’s welcome news.

A New Hot Hatch Emerges

The most fascinating member of the trio isn’t the WRX or the BRZ—it’s the mysterious five-door hatchback.

Subaru confirmed the newcomer will evolve from the Performance-B STI Concept shown at the 2025 Japan Mobility Show, but company executives suggest it won’t simply be a hatchback version of the WRX.

Chief Technology Officer Tetsuro Fujinuki described the project as an “affordable base car” designed to give Subaru’s enthusiast-minded engineers room to experiment while leveraging existing components and technology. Reading between the lines, that sounds like a recipe for something enthusiasts have been requesting for years: an Impreza-sized hatch infused with WRX hardware.

The concept’s proportions, along with the closely related High Performance X Version II race car, point toward a vehicle that could eventually spawn a full-fledged WRX STI flagship. A turbocharged boxer engine, all-wheel drive, sharper suspension tuning, and more aggressive aerodynamics all seem likely ingredients.

Interestingly, the latest teaser image shows a more restrained body shape than the original concept, lacking its exaggerated wide fenders. That could indicate Subaru is positioning the hatchback as a more accessible enthusiast model before potentially expanding the lineup with even hotter variants.

Whatever form it takes, the company insists the hatchback will bring a personality distinct from both the WRX and BRZ.

The BRZ Gets Sharper

The third manual model may be the least surprising, but it could end up being the most rewarding to drive.

Subaru says a new BRZ “Complete Car” is in development, based on the BRZ STI Sport Type RA that debuted in late 2025. The company promises a lighter, more engaging driving experience, which is exactly what BRZ fans want to hear.

The limited-run Type RA already came equipped with aerodynamic enhancements, ZF dampers, and Brembo brakes, creating one of the most focused versions of Subaru’s rear-drive sports coupe. Unlike that 300-unit special edition, however, the new model appears destined to become a permanent member of the lineup.

Don’t expect a dramatic power increase. Subaru has offered no indication that the turbocharged boxer engine from its BRZ race car will make the leap to the street. Instead, the emphasis appears to be on reducing weight, sharpening chassis responses, and enhancing the connection between driver and machine.

Frankly, that’s probably the right approach.

Subaru’s Enthusiast Revival

All three vehicles will be developed under Subaru’s newly created Sports Vehicle Planning Office, a division tasked with translating lessons learned from the company’s motorsports activities into road-going products.

That mission statement may sound familiar, but Subaru’s actions are speaking louder than its press releases. At a time when manual transmissions are disappearing across the industry, the company is investing resources into not one, but three enthusiast-focused models built around driver involvement.

Whether these cars remain exclusive to Japan is the million-dollar question. Subaru has yet to confirm any export plans, leaving enthusiasts in North America and Europe cautiously optimistic.

Still, the message coming from Fuji Speedway is difficult to ignore: Subaru believes there’s still a place for manual gearboxes, turbocharged boxer engines, and cars designed primarily for people who enjoy driving.

And in 2026, that’s becoming an increasingly rare thing.

Source: Subaru

News

Subaru Eyes European Return for BRZ – and It Could Be Electric

After years of absence from Europe’s sports car scene, Subaru is considering a bold return — and it may come with an electric twist.

Speaking to Autocar, Subaru executives revealed that a third-generation BRZ is being explored for European markets, this time potentially as a battery-electric vehicle (BEV). The move would mark Subaru’s re-entry into a segment it’s been absent from since 2020, when the first-generation BRZ quietly exited the continent.

The second-generation BRZ, launched globally in 2024, remained off-limits for most European buyers due to tightening emissions and safety regulations. While its Toyota twin, the GR86, made a limited appearance, the Subaru badge was notably absent.

But that could soon change.

“Our options are open,” said David Dello Stritto, Subaru’s European chief, hinting that the beloved BRZ nameplate could return — albeit in electric form. Backing up that possibility, Inoue Masahiko, Subaru’s global EV product boss, confirmed that an electric BRZ “was under consideration” and had been previously discussed with long-time partner Toyota.

However, he cautioned that the timing and mutual benefit with Toyota were key. “We did consider electrifying the BRZ and GT86,” Masahiko said. “But the win-win relationship is more important, and for the moment we can’t get the kind of benefits for both sides.”

The idea of an electric sports car is not entirely new to Subaru. The brand previewed a potential direction with the high-riding Subaru Sport Mobility Concept in 2023 — a radical vision of what a future electric performance model might look like.

For now, Subaru’s focus remains firmly on its mainstream lineup. The company is pushing hard in the family EV segment with models like the E-Outback, the Solterra, and the upcoming Uncharted SUV — the latter seen as a litmus test for the brand’s future in Europe.

“We feel very positively about Subaru enthusiasts,” said Stritto, “but we need to see how Uncharted does first.”

When asked whether the current BRZ could be retrofitted with an electrified powertrain to meet European standards, Masahiko was realistic: packaging constraints make such a move “difficult.” A purpose-built electric model, he suggested, would be “easier” to develop from the ground up.

And while the idea of a small allocation — say, 100 units — of the current BRZ coming to Europe was floated, Stritto dismissed it as commercially unviable. “That wouldn’t make long-term sense,” he said.

Subaru fans across the continent will be watching closely. With EV performance heating up, the return of a BRZ — silent, swift, and emissions-free — could be just the spark Europe’s sports car scene needs.

Source: Autocar; Photo: Subaru