Long-awaited Subaru WRX tS manual coming in 2025

In a time when three-pedal set-ups are becoming increasingly scarce, Subaru Australia looks to be doing its bit to keep the manual transmission alive via a new top-spec WRX variant.

According to ADR certification documents obtained by carsales this morning, Subaru is preparing to introduce a manual version of the flagship WRX tS sedan, a move that would see the four-door portfolio grow to six variants and offer a balanced number of manuals and automatics.

The WRX sedan line-up currently comprises three grades (WRX, RS, tS) and five variants, only two of which come with a manual transmission – the rest feature continuously variable transmissions (CVTs) while the associated Sportswagons (WRX, GT, tS) are CVT-only.

A manual tS has always been on the wish lists of WRX fans hoping to blend the involvement of a DIY gearbox with the extra versatility and dynamic capabilities afforded by adaptive dampers, something the manual-only WRX Club Spec loosely addressed last year with its bigger 19-inch wheels, stickier tyres, Brembo brakes and more aggressive steering and (passive) suspension tunes.

It’s unclear exactly when the 2025 Subaru WRX tS manual will arrive in local showrooms but odds are it will be before mid-year and start from $55,490 plus on-road costs seeing as the other manuals cost $2500 less than the equivalent automatics.

Subaru Australia predictably declined to comment on the subject, declaring that any information on a future product would be disclosed in due course.

The certification data likewise doesn’t hold any surprises – the manual tS will output the same 202kW/350Nm as the other variants, ride on the same 18-inch alloy wheels shod with the same 245/40 profile tyres and share all the same adaptive chassis hardware as the automatic tS.

The standard equipment list will read almost identically too, with the new variant set to come with dual-zone climate control, Ultrasuede upholstery, adaptive cruise control, eight-way power-adjustable front seats and an 11.6-inch infotainment system housing native sat-nav, wireless smartphone mirroring and DAB+ digital radio playing through a 10-speaker Harman Kardon sound system.

Other inclusions extend to LED exterior and interior lighting, heated front and rear outboard seats, voice recognition, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a powered sunroof and an auto-dipping passenger-side wing mirror.

WRX sales were down 20.2 per cent in 2024 despite the immediate success of the limited-run Club Spec, with Subaru recording 2188 deliveries last year compared to 2743 in 2023.