For years, North American enthusiasts have complained that Japan’s new manual Subaru WRX has something Americans don’t get. While domestic buyers have been stuck with the standard cable-shift manual in our WRX lineup, Subaru just officially announced the WRX STI Sport R for the Japanese domestic market. This is not just an appearance package; this catalog model actively revives the legendary TY85 heavy-duty six-speed manual transmission.
This direct rod-linked gearbox traces its lineage all the way back to the 2000 Impreza WRX and offers a much shorter, more mechanical shift feel than the standard WRX transmission. Subaru even re-engineered the shift mechanism specifically for this model, cutting shift play by a massive 60 percent. The brand had practically shut down its manual transmission production lines before a skunkworks team realized they could squeeze this iconic gearbox into the current VB-generation platform. Finally, Subaru unleashes a new WRX STI, even if it still lacks the traditional massive rear wing of its predecessors.
Peak Performance Specs
Unlike the limited-edition 600-unit STI Sport# lottery car from earlier this year, which had to run a detuned engine to protect a weaker transmission, the Sport R gets the full beans. The 2.4-liter turbocharged flat-four generates 275 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque, identical to the Japanese CVT model. The TY85 gearbox can easily handle this output, boasting a reported torque capacity of roughly 508 pound-feet.
The hardware upgrades extend far beyond the transmission tunnel. The 3,439-pound sedan comes standard with heavily revised ZF electronically controlled dampers, massive six-piston front Brembo brakes, and a rev-matching system born directly from Subaru’s endurance racing program. Aesthetically, the Sport R rolls on 19-inch matte gray wheels wrapped in 245/35 R19 Bridgestone Potenza tires, sitting aggressively over those gold Brembo calipers.
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Will It Ever Come To America?
Orders officially open across Japan on November 19, with the Sport R priced at ¥5.48 million, which translates to roughly $34,300 USD. Subaru plans to sell 330 units per month, proving this is a dedicated, permanent addition to the Japanese lineup.
Unfortunately, there is absolutely zero indication that this hardcore driveline will ever cross the Pacific. Subaru previously confirmed they have no plans to build a gas-powered STI on this current platform for the American market. So, while the last affordable rally-bred sedan is a winner here in the States, Japanese buyers are the only ones getting to experience the true mechanical joy of the legendary TY85 transmission.
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