At the 2026 Tokyo Auto Salon, Subaru revealed the WRX STI Sport# Prototype. This car is the closest thing we’ve seen to a true STI to date. It takes the WRX tS and kicks it up a notch with a bunch of suspension and design tweaks. This includes STI-tuned ZF electronically controlled dampers, and six-piston front and two-piston rear Brembo brakes with Gold calipers.
That doesn’t stop there. The WRX STI Sport# includes a ton of accessories, too. These include STI flexible front daw tower bar, STI front and rear draw stiffeners, a black lip spoiler, and leather-wrapped shifter and handbrake lever. Moreover, other changes on the Subaru WRX STI Sport# include 19-inch alloy wheels, Bridgestone Potenza S007 performance tires, and Recaro Ultrasuede-trimmed seats. Additionally, it also includes a Viscous limited-slip center differential.
As for the powertrain, it’s essentially unchanged from the standard WRX. That means it uses a 2.4-liter turbo-four with 271 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed manual is the only transmission available, marking the return of a three-pedal option in Japan. Unfortunately, this show car is less powerful than the WRX STI S210, a special edition with a limited run of 500 units specifically for the Japanese market. That model has 296 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque. However, it only comes with a CVT, specifically the one dubbed the Subaru Performance Transmission.
Subaru says that the WRX STI Sport# will be available in limited numbers starting in the spring of 2026. Sadly, this appears to be another piece of forbidden fruit specifically for the Japanese market. Yes, it’s the closest thing to a true STI model for the current-generation WRX, alongside the S210. However, it doesn’t have any major upgrades to set it apart from the tS or even the standard model.
Source: Subaru
