The Subaru WRX STI wing has returned to the range on a permanent variant, the tS Spec B offering adaptive suspension, bigger brakes, stickier tyres and new tech for a higher price – but no more power.
The most expensive Subaru WRX without an STI badge has launched in Australia – the 2025 Subaru WRX tS Spec B – ahead of showroom arrivals due next month.
It inherits many of the upgrades applied to last year's WRX Club Spec limited edition – including an STI-style rear wing and Brembo brakes – but brings extra features to justify an $8500 higher price, at $61,490 plus on-road costs.
The tS Spec B is the first WRX sold by Subaru in Australia to pair adaptive suspension and drive mode selector with a manual transmission, tech previously restricted to automatic grades.
And it is the first WRX in Australia to offer a 12.3-inch widescreen instrument cluster rather than analogue dials, plus a new emergency driving stop safety system.
Priced from $61,490 plus on-road costs, the tS Spec B is $3500 dearer than the tS automatic, and the most expensive WRX since the STI EJ25 Final Edition of 2021 ($62,440 plus on-roads).
The prices listed throughout this story for other models in the new WRX range are based on Model Year 2024 (MY24) stock, as MY25 examples are yet to be detailed.
It is not marketed as an STI, nor is there any more performance from the 2.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder 'boxer' petrol engine, which continues to develop 202kW and 350Nm.
Features added from the Club Spec include a tall STI-like rear spoiler, 19-inch wheels, wider Bridgestone Potenza S007 tyres, six-piston front and two-piston Brembo brake calipers, and enlarged 340x30mm front and 326x30mm rear discs (up from 316x28mm front and 290x18mm rear).
The tS Spec B sees the calipers finished in gold rather than red, and adds adaptive dampers and a drive mode selector (Comfort, Normal, Sport, Sport+ and Individual).
STI Performance Mufflers are available as a no-cost accessory, normally a $2521.45 option on the RS grade on which the tS Spec B is based.
Other additions include Recaro front sports seats, an STI-branded steering wheel, and in a Subaru Australia first – WRX or otherwise – a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and Emergency Driving Stop function that can bring the car to a halt if the driver is detected to be incapacitated.
The sunroof has been deleted from the tS Spec B "to help reduce weight and optimise performance and handling" – as well as, most likely, cost – along with the eight-way power-adjustable passenger seat, which reverts to a four-way manual item.
A new Galaxy Purple Pearl colour will be offered on the Spec B, replacing Solar Orange Pearl.
The 2025 Subaru WRX tS Spec B manual is available to pre-order now ahead of deliveries commencing next month.
2025 Subaru WRX price in Australia
Note: All prices above exclude on-road costs. Prices for other models are based on MY24 versions; MY25 prices yet to be announced.
2025 Subaru WRX tS Spec B adds:
Alex Misoyannis has been writing about cars since 2017, when he started his own website, Redline. He contributed for Drive in 2018, before joining CarAdvice in 2019, becoming a regular contributing journalist within the news team in 2020. Cars have played a central role throughout Alex’s life, from flicking through car magazines at a young age, to growing up around performance vehicles in a car-loving family. Highly Commended - Young Writer of the Year 2024 (Under 30) Rising Star Journalist, 2024 Winner Scoop of The Year - 2024 Winner