Words and Photos: Deven Solanki
With all the EVs and hybrids dominating the roads these days, only a handful of Japanese manufacturers are still pumping out internal combustion performance cars — and even fewer are sticking to the sought-after formula: turbocharged, manual gearbox, and made to be properly driven. Subaru is still one of them, holding it down since 1992 when the first WRX dropped in Japan. It quickly made its mark worldwide, solidifying its legacy in rally and the street tuner scene.
The WRX tS Spec B lands for 2025 as a limited-run, enthusiast-spec model — with a badge that nods to its STi roots, staying true to the classic WRX recipe: flat-four, turbo, all-wheel drive, and a face that looks happiest caked in gravel and dirt. While the STi was retired at the end of the previous generation, the tS Spec B is introduced as a new grade and the second coming.
The first thing that hits you is the colour. WR (World Rally) Blue Pearl. While the rest of the world’s traffic blends into the sea of greyscale and monochrome with the odd Soul Red, the tS Spec B rolls in loud with the same hue that was attached to the GC8 and beyond. Paired with the large rear wing, sharp lines and aggressive front-end, you’ve got a car that screams nostalgia. It’s a proper throwback to the glory days, but with a modern twist. This isn’t just a ‘boy racer’ toy anymore, it’s a kind of grown-up aggression, a car that matures with its driver but still cracks a cheeky grin every time you plant your foot. As you’d expect, the Spec B turned heads everywhere — and not just from the younger crowd. Older folks and those who ‘had an older model back in the day’ were just as keen on it. It’s the classic shape and styling that’s become iconic over the years, instantly recognisable and evolved since its debut back in ’92: a design that still clicks with enthusiasts of all ages.
Nestled under the vented bonnet is the familiar 2.4-litre turbocharged flat-four shared amongst the recent WRX models, pushing 202kW and 350Nm to all fours. On paper, those numbers aren’t exactly huge, but behind the wheel, it’s a different story. The power delivery is pretty punchy and linear while you row through the gears. Let’s not forget the actual shifter feel is tight and smooth with a mechanical ‘clunk’ that gives every gear change a satisfying sense of purpose. And of course, Subaru’s trademark symmetrical AWD system ties it all together, putting power down confidently and giving the driver the urge to chase that next corner just a little harder.
This is where things get interesting. Subaru’s finally thrown in adaptive dampers, and it completely changes the game. This lets you flick between Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Sport+ drive modes at the touch of a button, adjusting steering feel and suspension stiffness. It’s a noticeable difference, too. Sport+ tightens everything up for backroad blasts with minimal body roll and sharp control, while Comfort softens things nicely for road trips with the family or daily commuting. Despite the slightly raised ‘rally stance’, this WRX handles like a proper sports sedan. Minimal body roll, great corner stability, and even in Comfort mode, it keeps things civil on those rough NZ roads.
Out of the box, the Spec B rolls on 19-inch matte grey alloys wrapped in sticky Bridgestone Potenza S007 tyres, a proven bit of rubber that never fails to keep things gripped. Behind the alloys, the tS Spec B exclusively scores a big Brembo brake package with gold six-piston callipers and ventilated, drilled rotors. They bite hard, time and time again, perfect for pulling up sharply on spirited backroad hoons or the odd track day.
Jumping inside the cabin, it’s all very familiar modern Subaru, with some distinctive upgrades. Up front, a snug set of Ultrasuede Recaro buckets — a staple for Subaru dating back decades — with STi badging embedded on the headrests hold you nicely on full boost, but still offer comfort for daily use. STi logos also carry over to the leather steering wheel, while WRX branding shows up on the dash and floor mats to remind you exactly what you’re in.
There’s a large vertical 11.6-inch touch screen infotainment with all the functions you’d expect in a modern car, but thankfully, Subaru’s kept the AC temp and volume radio controls physical for the basics. And yes, the handbrake is still an actual handbrake. The instrument cluster is also now changed to a 12.3-inch screen, and the rear seats and boot offer decent space as well, making it as practical as it is fun. It’s suitable for a weekend mission with the boys to the next event, and just as happy hauling your groceries. Inside, there’s also a 10-speaker Harman Kardon audio system to keep the beats doofing in crystal-clear quality.
So what’s the verdict? It’s a big thumbs-up from us. The WRX tS Spec B might be the last of a dying breed, a Japanese performance sedan built for true enthusiasts. And in a time where most new cars are either chasing EV range or trying to outdo each other, it’s a refreshingly honest car. It’s not the fastest, and it’s not trying to reinvent the genre. But it’s a blast to drive. It’s sharp, raw and most importantly, it’s still a WRX. Turbocharged. All-wheel drive. Manual. The way it should be.
Check out Subaru’s site for full specs and details: https://www.subaru.co.nz/showroom/wrx-ts-spec-b
