Subaru WRX STI Sport# revealed with lots of goodies but it's no STI

Electrification may be all the rage today, but brands like Subaru believe there will always be room for the good ol' internal combustion engine (ICE). Yes, they now have Forester Hybrid, which combines fuel efficiency with electrified propulsion, but for the enthusiast crowd, a turbocharged Boxer engine will always attract those who prefer classic performance.

Subaru has officially revealed the 2026 WRX STI Sport#, and it's leveraging the brand's expertise in rallying and building high-performance cars. Yes, it's not exactly a full-blown STI version yet, but at least they're capitalizing on the STI's sporting pedigree.

Starting with the most important aspect, the WRX STI Sport# is powered by a 2.4L FA24 turbocharged flat-four that makes 275 PS at 5600 rpm and 350 Nm of torque between 2000 and 5200 rpm. Power is then sent to all four wheels via the brand's Symmetrical AWD system with a viscous, limited-slip differential and a proper six-speed manual gearbox.

Complementing the turbocharged engine are gold-plated Brembo cross-drilled disc brakes that measure 18 inches in diameter and consist of six-pot front calipers and two-pot rear calipers. It also features STI-tuned ZF electronically-controlled dampers that Subaru claims will deliver superior driving stability and responsiveness.

Providing grip to the road comes courtesy of Bridgestone Potenza S007 tires that measure 245/35 series and are mounted on 19-inch alloy wheels finished in Matte Gray. Other key upgrades include front & rear STI flexible draw stiffeners, an STI flexible draw tower bar, and a trunk spoiler painted black. The WRX STI Sport# also gets exclusive upgrades like Ultrasuede Recaro seats finished in black with black stitching.

Other details about the WRX STI Sport# are not yet available. However, Subaru did mention that this particular model will only be available in limited quantities and will arrive in spring 2026. That means we can expect the WRX STI Sport# to be revealed in the middle of the year.

Will we ever see Subaru bring back a full-blown WRX STI in the future? That will depend if the automaker decides in the future.