Praise be: the stick ain’t dead just yet. Subaru is giving driving enthusiasts a reason to celebrate by bringing back a manual transmission from the previous-generation WRX STI. The Japanese automaker has teased a new version of its sports sedan equipped with the heavy-duty TY85 six-speed gearbox, confirming that the three-pedal WRX will join the regular production lineup in Japan next month.
The announcement matters because Japanese buyers have largely been limited to the WRX S4 with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). Subaru recently offered the limited-production WRX STI Sport♯ with a six-speed manual, but only 600 examples were available, and buyers had to win the lottery first to earn the right to buy one.
