Subaru Said he wouldn’t release a version STI based on WRX of the current generation, and the company keeps its promise because although the new WRX tS looks a lot like an extreme version of a sports sedan, it is not an STI.

There’s the familiar blue body colour, red WRX badging on the radiator grilles and upgraded calipers painted in the signature bronze caliper colour. The car was tuned by STI experts, so the WRX tS still has some “branded sportiness” to it, the company said. But not only that: the car had electronically controlled shock absorbers and powerful Brembo brakes with six-piston calipers at the front and two-piston calipers at the rear. 245/35 Bridgestone Potenza S007 tires are mounted on 19-inch rims.

Under the hood of the WRX tS is the 2.4-liter turbocharged gasoline engine that is equipped with all other versions of the WRX. Its power is 271 hp. The engine is combined only with a manual transmission.

The cabin features a new 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a media system with a vertically oriented 11.6-inch touchscreen. The seats consist of Recaro sports buckets covered in black faux suede, with blue inserts and WRX tS logos printed on the headrests. The equipment also includes proprietary EyeSight safety technologies.

Subaru hasn’t said how much the WRX tS costs, but has confirmed it will replace the TR version. WRX tS will go on sale in early 2025.