JDM 2027 Subaru WRX Teased With Heavy-Duty TY85 Manual Transmission Option

3 days, 11 hours ago - 26 October 2026, autoevolution

The Subaru WRX sold in the United States never lost its six-speed manual transmission. Japan's did, save for 600 units of the WRX STI Sport♯ edition. Both the American and the Japanese models use the light-duty TY75 transmission, but come November 2026, the WRX for Japan will gain the heavy-duty TY85 as a regular-production option.

In the Land of the Rising Sun, the WRX primarily uses a continuously variable box that simulates stepped shifts. Not only is this transmission design completely inappropriate for a performance-oriented application, but CVTs don't hold a candle to well-calibrated automatic trannies and twin-clutch designs.

Thankfully for Japanese customers, the CVT nightmare will soon end. To be revealed in November 2026, the regular-production manual tranny is a TY85 revised specifically for this generation of the compact all-wheel-drive sedan. The last time Subaru used the TY85 in the WRX was the previous-gen WRX STI.

A different animal from the TY75 of the WRX STI Sport♯ edition and US-market WRX, the TY85 revival wouldn't have been possible had Subaru not discovered that a partner factory still had the relevant production line. The Japanese automaker then formed a small team with the purpose of bringing the TY85 back from the dead, and the development film highlights a one-year effort.

Chief executive officer Atsushi Osaki allowed the development team to borrow the faster decision-making rhythm we normally associate with the world of motorsports, where updates have to be made quickly and effectively. Per the development film, Subaru also came up with an engine control strategy focused on naturally aspirated-like responsiveness from a turbocharged engine.

Of course, that engine is a familiar 2.4-liter turbo four-pot boxer. Unfortunately, the company isn't willing to specify if the new calibration also comes with more power and torque. Developed with input from Super Taikyu racing drivers, the TY85-equipped manual WRX promises a different shifting experience. Instead of a cable mechanism for the TY75, this fellow uses a rod-operated shift linkage.

Hearsay suggests that Subaru engineered the revised TY85 to support 500 Newton-meters (369 pound-feet) of twist, which is more than enough in a compact. Two additional manual projects are on the menu, namely a STI Sport Type RA-derived BRZ and a five-door model previewed by the Performance-B STI concept at the 2025 Japan Mobility Show.

Just like the WRX TY85, both are said to draw on motorsport knowledge. For now, everyone is looking forward to the TY85's return. Whether this heavier-duty manual transmission also comes to the US-market WRX, that remains to be seen. And yes, the other two models haven't been confirmed for the US either.

Slotted below the BRZ in the United States of America, the WRX carries a starting price of $32,495 before destination and other taxes. The WRX S4 for the Japanese market may be pricier than the BRZ, yet 4,477,000 yen for the entry grade makes it more affordable than its American cousin. At current exchange rates, that money converts to 28,530 freedom eagles.