The announcement was made during a press conference held over the weekend at Fuji Speedway during an endurance race. There, Subaru offered an early look at three upcoming models that will retain the traditional three-pedal setup.
The move comes as manual transmissions continue to disappear from many segments of the automotive market. During the event, Subaru Chief Technology Officer Tetsuro Fujinuki reaffirmed the company’s focus on enthusiast-oriented vehicles, stating: “We aim to create cars that can be enjoyed more casually.”
New WRX Variant To Use an Sti-Derived Transmission
One of the vehicles previewed by Subaru is a new WRX derivative that will be fitted with the TY85 manual transmission previously used in STI models.
According to Motor1, Subaru has not clarified whether this project is linked to a future WRX STI. The company also stopped short of confirming any specific performance targets or mechanical upgrades beyond the transmission itself.
The model appears to draw inspiration from the WRX STI Sport# Prototype unveiled earlier this year. While Subaru has not released additional technical details, the use of the STI-derived gearbox was one of the key elements highlighted during the presentation.
BRZ Successor Prioritizes Lightness Over Additional Power
The second model shown by Subaru is a new BRZ variant that follows the STI Sport Type RA special edition introduced in Japan last year.
That model was limited to just 300 units and sold through a lottery system. The upcoming successor is being developed with a different objective: improving driving enjoyment through reduced weight rather than increasing engine output.
Subaru has not indicated that a more powerful engine is planned for the new BRZ derivative. Instead, the emphasis is being placed on lightness and driver engagement, maintaining the car’s focus on handling characteristics.
Affordable Hatchback Emerges as the Surprise of the Lineup
The most intriguing of the three vehicles is a previously unannounced hatchback equipped with a manual transmission. Subaru describes it as a new “affordable base car.”
To keep pricing under control, the automaker is reviewing the materials used throughout the vehicle and simplifying its standard equipment package. It remains unclear whether the production model will share any components or design cues with the Performance-B STI Concept displayed at the Japan Mobility Show last year.
The concept was effectively a WRX STI-style hot hatch, though Subaru has not suggested that the upcoming hatchback will follow the same formula. At this stage, the company has only emphasized affordability and the availability of a manual gearbox.
Subaru plans to launch all three models in stages by the end of next year. The company also highlighted the existence of its Sports Vehicle Planning Office, a dedicated division responsible for enthusiast-focused projects.
Earlier this year, Subaru additionally teased a lifted BRZ rally car featuring all-wheel drive and a turbocharged engine. It remains unclear whether that vehicle will ever reach production, although it is currently being developed to compete in the All Japan Rally Championship.
