UPDATED 03/10/2023 2:20pm: Subaru has dropped another teaser for the upcoming 2024 Subaru WRX TR just four days out from its global reveal on October 7.
The fresh image shows off a deeply sculpted leather and suede-trimmed Recaro bucket seat along with what looks to be a new shade of red adorning the exterior panels, though it’s possible the latter is just a result of the lighting conditions during the teaser shoot – the WRX is already available in a rather lurid ‘Ignition Red’.
No extra details of the TR have been released in tandem with the lone image, meaning we’ll have to wait until the weekend for the lowdown.
ORIGINAL ARTICLE PUBLISHED 28/09/2023 12:30pm: Subaru of America has teased a new “sharper and more enthusiast-focused” version of the Subaru WRX sports sedan fitted with red Brembo brake callipers and lightweight STi wheels ahead of its public debut at North America’s annual Subiefest in Florida on October 7.
The 2024 Subaru WRX TR will be positioned in the upper reaches of the US WRX line-up, but it remains to be seen which of the established trims – Base, Premium, Limited or GT – it’s based on in terms of equipment levels.
If the Japanese brand is truly committed to delivering a more focused WRX, chances are the TR will be based on the penultimate Limited variant given it’s the highest grade fitted with a six-speed manual transmission, though it misses out on the GT’s adaptive dampers.
The up-specced braking package and rolling stock will likely be linked to an overhauled chassis set-up comprising stiffer (and maybe lower) springs, beefier sway bars and more premium tyres at the very least, not to mention an angrier aesthetic.
A front strut brace isn’t out of the question either, based on previous fettled Subaru performance models and the fact the brand has long championed the divisive chassis upgrade.
It’s so far unclear whether the TR will score any engine upgrades to enhance the standard model’s 202kW/375Nm outputs and, with no STi version of the new WRX on the horizon, there’s certainly room for a couple of extra kW or Nm.
Australian WRXs output 202kW/350Nm regardless of their body style or trim level, with the local sedan line-up comprising the WRX, Sport, RS and tS grades.
Subaru Australia is yet to confirm any interest in the WRX TR or whether it will introduce a local equivalent, but we’ll update this article with its response if and when we get one.
Depending on what form the teased TR takes – full-time offering or limited-run special – the best that Aussies may be able to look forward to is the looming WRX 30 Years Edition, which is set to feature some unique styling, performance and tuning upgrades.