--- title: "Subaru WRX STI Is Finally Back—But Only With a CVT and Only In Japan" date: "2025-01-10" modified: "2025-01-10" authors: - name: "Nico DeMattia" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/nico-demattia" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/subaru-finally-brings-back-the-wrx-sti-but-theres-a-catch" categories: - "News" - "News by Brand" - "Subaru News" tags: - "sports car" - "Subaru" - "WRX" --- # Subaru WRX STI Is Finally Back—But Only With a CVT and Only In Japan ![Subaru WRX]() *Subaru* Subaru is finally giving its fans what they want. Well, sort of. Up until now, Subaru gave us everything *but* a WRX STI. There was the WRX TR, GT, and[ soon-to-be-released tS](). Now, though, an official Subaru WRX STI is finally here. However, it doesn't come without a few caveats. This new S210 STI is going to be limited to just 500 units, all of which will be for the Japanese market only. And lastly—and this is the big one—it only comes with a CVT. *GASP*. While many WRX models offer CVTs, and they're decent sport sedans, an STI should have a manual transmission, especially if it's limited to just 500 cars. What mass market is Subaru appealing to with the CVT? According to [Subaru](), it's supposed to be a "two-pedal sports sedan directly descended from the Nürburgring 24-hour race machine." *OK.* ![]() **Subaru** Even more frustrating is that the rest of the car seems awesome. Its engine is the same "FA24" 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder but it's been juiced up a bit from the WRX tS. It has a new air intake system, lower back-pressure muffler, and an ECU tune, so it makes 300 horsepower, versus the tS' 271 horsepower. It also features upgraded STI wheels, sticky Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires, six-piston Brembo brakes, and Subaru's "STI Flexible" anti-roll bars, to make it stop and handle better, too. It's also the best-looking version of the WRX so far, with its fixed wing and kick-ass wheels. Inside, it has fantastic carbon fiber Recaro bucket seats that look like from a [Porsche 911 GT3](). Subaru finally creating an "STI," only to extremely limit its production and exclusively give it a bland transmission feels like a disservice to its fans. A CVT spoils the fun in every other version of the WRX, even if it is called the "Subaru Performance Transmission," so there's no reason to expect otherwise here. Hopefully, this car shows Subaru there's a real customer demand for STIs, though, and gets to work on a more global production version with an appropriate gearbox of course. *Got tips? Send 'em to tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Nico is a writer and reviewer from New Jersey who probably thinks he’s a lot funnier than he actually is. His love of cars began when he was just a kid playing Gran Turismo 3, grinding out enough race wins with a Mazda Miata to save up for an in-game RUF 911. That passion for small, lightweight sports cars drove his desire to learn more about the industry, get his hands on as many cars as he could, and bring those experiences to life on the page. He cut his teeth writing about BMWs, Volkswagens, and Audis, mostly, and has owned far too many of each. He’s on his fourth 3 Series sedan, but all of his old, cheap German cars have forced him to learn more about car maintenance than his mechanical capability can handle. Too many late nights have been spent scrambling to get a car running by morning so he could get to work. For some reason, he never seems to learn that old Bimmers probably aren’t the best daily drivers. But he loves more than just old German cars. He’ll gladly drive and discuss anything with four (or even three) wheels. Cars aren’t his only passions, though. Nico is also a big nerd and loves movies, video games, comic books, and cares far too much about the New York Giants. So don’t be surprised if you see football references or dumb, obscure movie quotes in any of his car reviews. ### Author social links [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()