New Subaru WRX tS Spec B Brings STI Looks And A Manual To Australia For A$62K

The new flagship trim of the WRX is the closest Australians will get to an STI

Update 3/6: Subaru has confirmed the specifications and pricing, and they’ve also released new photos of the flagship variant of the series.

Subaru has unveiled a new addition to the WRX lineup for the Australian market, set to top the range for 2025. The WRX tS Spec B brings a sportier design and, most notably, a 6-speed manual transmission, a feature that’s bound to catch the attention of driving enthusiasts.

While the US-spec WRX tS comes with a manual transmission, Australian buyers have only had access to a CVT – until now. The introduction of the tS Spec B changes that, with Subaru aiming to attract “driving purists and enthusiasts.”

More: Subaru Kills Entry-Level WRX And Hikes Prices For 2025

Under the hood sits the familiar 2.4-liter turbocharged flat-4 engine, paired with Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system. This setup delivers the same 271 hp (202 kW / 275 PS) and 258 lb-ft (350 Nm) of torque as the regular WRX tS.

The WRX tS Spec B looks very similar to North America’s Spec tS with its quad tailpipes, Recaro seats, and 19-inch alloy wheels finished in matte grey. However, it adds a large rear wing, which is also featured in the Japanese-spec STI Sport trim, and Australia’s own WRX Club Spec Edition from last year. Another cool touch is the quad STI Performance Mufflers, included as standard.

Subaru Australia

Inside, there is a pair of power-adjustable Recaro sports buckets, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with the STI emblem, and the new 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster which is a first for an AU-spec WRX.

More importantly, the Spec B rides on electronically adjustable dampers which are controlled by the Drive Mode Select system. It is also equipped with Brembo brakes featuring ventilated and drilled discs with gold calipers.

More: How Much Would You Pay For The Ultimate Subaru STI, The Prodrive P25?

The Subaru WRX tS Spec B is priced at AU$ 61,490 (US$ 38,900) before on-road costs, making it the priciest member of the local lineup, and AU$ 3,500 (US$ 2,200) more expensive than the CVT-equipped WRX tS.

The company has already started accepting orders, with the first deliveries scheduled for April 2025. In Australia, the more focused and manually-equipped WRX trim will go against hot hatchbacks like the Toyota GR Corolla and the Honda Civic Type R.

Earlier this year, Subaru introduced the limited-production WRX STI S210 in Japan, featuring a more powerful 2.4-liter engine with 296 hp (221 kW / 300 PS) and a sharper chassis setup. However, despite being the most potent WRX and coming with all the STI goodies, the S210 is exclusively available with a CVT.