Manual Subaru WRXs in demand

Despite the controversy drummed up by the latest S210 Prototype being CVT-only, the manual transmission is very much alive and kicking at Subaru Australia with 45 per cent of all WRX sedan sales last year being the DIY option.

The revelation comes after carsales’ discovery of sales approval documentation for a new manual tS variant, a car that’s been on the wish list of local Rex fans since the current model arrived in 2022.

Originally thought to be a three-pedal alternative to the existing tS flagship, a closer inspection of the manual tS’ homologation data suggests it might actually up the ante as the full-time follow-up to the limited-run Club Spec (150 units) and a consolation prize for the lack a of full-fat STI hero.

Lightweight 19-inch wheels, big brakes, an STI-spec rear wing and more aggressive springs could all feature on the inbound variant, blended with the convenience and comfort of heated and power-adjustable suede seats, sat-nav, wireless smartphone mirroring, a 10-speaker Harman Kardon sound system and powered sunroof among other things.

Whatever the final spec ends up being, a full-time manual flagship will be warmly received by local performance fans as the transmission type continues to fade from the market – Hyundai is the only other brand offering six-speed manuals in the mainstream hot hatch market the WRX has typically been associated with.

The Honda Civic Type R is the exception to that rule, but its $74,100 price tag rules it out as a legitimate competitor in this context.

Things are better in the sports car world where the Toyota GR86/Subaru BRZ, Nissan Z, Toyota Supra, Ford Mustang and Mazda MX-5 are all offered with an even spread of two- and three-pedal transmissions as per the Hyundai i30 N range and soon, the WRX.

While there is still undoubtedly an appetite for manual transmissions in the performance market, the popularity of the stick-shift WRXs might come as something of a surprise given the majority of post-facelift i30 Ns on the road these days (hatch and sedan) are automatics.

The unofficial answer here is the transmission type and resulting performance – the automatic i30 Ns feature an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission while the WRX features a continuously variable unit.

Independent testing has shown the manual WRXs to be considerably faster from 0-100km/h than the CVTs if launched efficiently, a perfect contrast to the i30 N where the DCTs hold a comfortable performance edge.

Another factor to the manual Rex’s success is it fanbase and lineage in that those who actively want a WRX will be more than aware of its rally heritage and the sacred recipe (flat four, big turbo, AWD, manual transmission) that made it such an icon.

A $2500 price advantage to the manual variants would also no-doubt play its part as well.

The arrival of the tS manual will provide an even number of manual and CVT variants within the WRX sedan range and will undoubtedly spur a more even sales split between the two choices as fans look to blend an aggressive chassis with a loaded equipment list.

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