2026 Subaru WRX STI Sport Concept
By Lorenzo Bianchi January 12, 2026
Six-speed manual transmission confirmed for the WRX STI Sport Concept.
Retains the 2.4-liter turbocharged boxer engine with all-wheel drive.
Concept form previews Subaru and STI’s renewed emphasis on driver engagement.
A concept shaped by intent, not nostalgia
Subaru’s presentation at Tokyo Auto Salon 2026 leaned heavily into its Performance Scene, but few exhibits drew more immediate attention than the WRX STI Sport Concept. Officially shown as a prototype, the car is positioned less as a design experiment and more as a statement of direction. The most telling detail is also the simplest: a six-speed manual transmission returns to the WRX STI Sport Concept after the recent shift toward CVT-based setups.
Subaru has been careful with its language, referring to the car as a prototype and clarifying that the displayed vehicle is equipped with STI performance parts. Still, the message is clear. Driver involvement is back at the center of the conversation.
Familiar proportions with focused detailing
Visually, the WRX STI Sport Concept does not stray far from established WRX DNA. The body shape, proportions, and stance remain recognisable, suggesting continuity rather than reinvention. The usage of crimson ornamental side skirts that run around the lower borders of the body is the most noticeable external cue. It is a restrained touch, but one that immediately signals STI intent without resorting to exaggerated aero elements.
The overall look feels purposeful rather than theatrical. Subaru appears content to let known WRX proportions carry the concept, using small but deliberate details to distinguish it within the lineup shown at the event.
An interior that puts control first
Inside, the emphasis on engagement becomes more explicit. Alongside the six-speed manual gearbox, the WRX STI Sport Concept features a manual handbrake, a detail that will resonate with long-time STI followers. Subaru makes no claims beyond this, but the inclusion of a traditional handbrake reinforces the car’s mechanical, driver-led character.
There is no attempt to reframe the cabin as a digital showcase. Instead, the focus remains on tactile controls and direct feedback, aligning with the concept’s broader intent.
Proven powertrain, unchanged philosophy
Power comes from the familiar 2.4-liter turbocharged horizontally opposed engine. In this application, it produces a maximum output of 275 horsepower and 375 Nm of torque. The engine is paired with the six-speed manual transmission and Subaru’s signature all-wheel-drive system, maintaining a layout that has long defined the WRX and STI identity.
Subaru has not indicated any electrification elements or alternative drivetrains for this concept. The mechanical package reads as deliberately conventional, underscoring the idea that this vehicle is about driving feel rather than technical novelty.