Subaru WRX manual hatchback teased alongside tougher BRZ and WRX sedan

Subaru is currently developing three new manual vehicles, teasing the trio at the most recent round of Japan’s Super Taikyu Series.

The teaser image shows three cars covered in sheets, though their body styles can’t be masked, as we can clearly see the outlines of the WRX sedan (left), the BRZ coupe (centre), and what is widely expected to be the returning WRX hatchback (right).

Subaru says the three vehicles will launch by 2027 and are being developed by its newly established Sports Vehicle Planning Office, which has already made an all-wheel drive, turbocharged BRZ rally car.

According to Subaru's Japanese website, the hatchback will have "a new personality that is different from the WRX and BRZ", though the bonnet scoop shows it'll almost certainly be based on the sedan.

Importantly, Subaru has confirmed it'll be a production version of the "Performance-B STI concept" shown off at last year's Tokyo motor show.

Revealed ‘Performance-B STI Concept’ last year, it was expected d to be the long-awaited return of not only a full-fat STI model but also the WRX hatchback.

However, in January it out to become a preview of the WRX STI HiPerfX2 which is the brand’s new challenger in the Super Taikyu Series, running a turbocharged 2.4-litre boxer engine (shared with the current WRX), but with more performance parts.

Given Subaru has said the upcoming trio of models “will incorporate the technology and knowledge cultivated through our motorsports activities”, we can expect the WRX hatchback to potentially offer an added level of performance over the current sedan.

For the WRX sedan, the performance will move from the ‘TY75’ six-speed manual which has been available for the WRX since 2014, and adopt the stronger ‘TY85’ from the previous-generation WRX STI.

Designed to handle more power and torque as well as added abuse, the TY85 transmission was previously discontinued following the end of production for the ‘VA’-generation WRX STI, however it’s now coming back for the standard WRX.

Currently Japan has no manual-equipped WRXs in local showrooms, though earlier this year it announced the manual would come in the form of the WRX STI Sport#.

Finally, Subaru confirmed the BRZ STI Sport Type RA, limited to 300 units in Japan only, will influence a series production variant.

"Based on the 'STI Sport TYPE RA' announced in November 2025, we are developing a model that will make the highly acclaimed driving experience even lighter and more enjoyable to drive at will," Subaru said.

While there have been rumours that a new BRZ would launch in 2027 or 2028, it seems this will have to wait.