The Honda / Nissan / Mitsubishi merger will create the 3rd largest car company in the world. Only a handful of independents remain; Aston Martin, McLaren. Tesla, Mazda and Subaru. Three of those brands make very expensive and exclusive vehicles; like a boutique operation or specialty shop. Then there’s Subaru.
The company built its reputation on go-fast models from its STi performance division. Yet Subaru continues to ignore the demands of their most ardent brand ambassadors. Either build what consumers demand, or get swallowed up by Toyota; it’s as simple as that.
Case in point, the 2025 Subaru WRX STi S210 prototype was recently shown at the Tokyo Auto Salon, three years after Subaru announced they would not build an STi version of the latest WRX model. But it really isn’t a top-dog STI model.
It’s just a WRX with an automatic CVT transmission made to look like the Subaru N24, the car Subaru races in the Nürburgring 24-Hour Race.
- So, what extra goodies does this Subie get?
- – Same 2.4L boxer engine from the WRX, with a re-tuned ECU to increase power from 271 HP to 296 HP
- – A front strut-tower brace, unique ‘driver selective’ dampers with matched coil springs.
- – A set of forged (not cast) lightweight, aluminum BBS wheels and Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires.
- – Big red Brembo brakes slow the party down, with six-piston units up front, four-piston in the rear.
- – In the interior, front-seat occupants get Recaro bucket seats with carbon-fibre backrests.
There’s nothing bad about these modifications; they’re the same things an enthusiast would do to any new car. But some automotive enthusiasts claim this automatic-transmission only STi signals the end of Subaru as a builder of performance cars.
That the company just wants to make mid-sized crossovers and SUVs like the Crosstrek and Forester, since that’s where the money is. That the reputation of kids buying, modifying and blowing up their WRXs damages the company image.
So why isn’t this new car a true Subaru STi despite the power increase and handling upgrades over the standard WRX?
Remember those American muscle cars from the ’60s? You could order them with a mundane V6 or small displacement V8. But if wanted to build a car to rule the street, you could buy the ‘track special’. The biggest 427 cubic inch V8 motor, the rock-crusher 4-speed manual transmission, posi-traction, radio delete and no A/C. The STi was a modern day muscle car. Instead of the WRX’s glass 5-speed, you got the bulletproof 6-speed. But under the hood was more than just a bigger turbocharger; the STi engines had forged crankshafts, pistons and piston rods which were the rock solid foundation for tuners to build upwards 500 HP. Every component of the car had been designed for more power. The STi was a true tuner car.
The previous generation STi S209 built in 2019 had 341 HP. Now after six years of advancements, this STi S210 has 70 less HP and (the big insult to gearheads) a CVT automatic transmission only. Seems like Subaru just does not care about the enthusiast car market any more, and is happy to leave it to Toyota with their GR Corolla, GR 86 and Supra. At least you can get a stick shift in those!
No stick? That could cause a WRX!
What kind of top tier performance car ONLY comes in automatic. Very disappointing.
Totally dissapointing. I’ve read other high-performance cars will only be available in automatic. It’s amazing how many people don’t know how to drive standards out here. It’s probably happening world-wide.
When I showed up to pick up a rental car in southern France in 2013, the clerk said, “Oh! You’re American. Do you want to change to an automatic?” I told her I didn’t know how to drive an automatic. She was rather amused.
I’d like to say that driving manual should be a driver’s license requirement, but over here, they pretty much just hand you a DL. Gov’t just wants the revenue (fees, gas tax, etc.) that they couldn’t care less whether you can drive or not.
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And I’m glad to hear that you defended the honour of North American stick shifters when you were in Europe. We’re a disappearing breed.
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The only ones left who buy stick shift are gearheads; so if a car company is going to build a performance car for exactly those types of people, why insult them with an automatic. Makes no sense. I believe the popular term these days is “tone deaf”.
All our cars are manual transmission, even my pickup truck. We will probably keep our cars running as long as possible. Mazda isn’t making the Speed3s anymore, but they do have a Mazda 3 S Preferred Turbo available with manual transmission.
Now hold your horses there cowboy. My wife’s Mini Cooper is getting a little old, and she wants something newer and more comfortable. So I’ve been looking into the Mazda3 GT. It’s just like a WRX used to be. All-wheel-drive, turbocharged four banger, seats five and a hatchback so you can drop the rear seats and treat it like a sedan delivery. But I thought that it ONLY came with an automatic?!?
You are correct, the all wheel drive is only automatic. I looked again and to get the manual transmission you have to choose the 2.5 S Premium Hatchback, which is not Turbo. The Carbon Turbo only comes with an automatic transmission. That is really goofy. At least with the MX-5 RF the manual transmission is standard and automatic is an option. Maybe your wife should consider an MX-5. Not as fast, but super cool.
Gosh, I wish!
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We have a Miata (’99 with a 5-speed) which she never drives. Something about the wind messing up her hair. I myself use Duane ‘The Rock’ Johnson’s line of haircare products, so the wind down’t affect me.
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All I want for her is what we used to cll a ‘hot hatch’. A small, fun, quick hatchback with good handling. Like the old Honda Civics from the 90s (with double wishbone suspension all around). The Mini Cooper fits that bill, but there aren’t too many in that category any more.
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Hyundai Veloster
VW Golf GTI
Mazda 3 GT
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can’t think of any others right now.
Can you get the Honda Civic Type R or the 2025 Toyota GR Corolla in Canada? The Toyota is 300 HP and comes with a six speed manual transmission.
Yes, theyre both available here. And even though I have never been a fan of Toyota (I always called them.vanilla or appliances) I gotta admit that 300HP from a 3 cylinder sound unbelievable. Plus all wheel drive? Even the mody modifications thay made to the little hatchback look cool.
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However, those cars are $56,900 + up here. Every car in my drivewayadded together isnt worth that much.
Speed costs! That’s what’s nice about Mazda is the 3 CT is around $40K and the 3 S is $30K. We paid $25K for our Speed3 in 2007.
sad, subaru. very sad
Yeah, when I read the article you sent me I thought how Toyota has ambraced the car enthusiast community. Three different models.
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Im now realizing that my favourite brand just wants to sell glorified jacked-up, station wagons.