2024 Subaru WRX TR: Hardcore Rexy loses wing in the US

The Subaru WRX TR has been revealed at Subiefest Florida as a more focused version of the all-paw performance sedan with bigger brakes and a revised chassis.

Yet the WRX TR debuted in Florida without the massive rear wing from the version we saw in Australian government documents last week.

A Subaru USA spokesperson told Motor1 [↗] it's because "the rear wing has always been associated with the WRX STI and has only ever been offered on it."

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"In other markets, the large wing has been offered on WRX models as well", the spokesperson added, indicating this hardcore WRX will be offered in other parts of the world with the wing we've seen.

Japan is obvious, but Subaru's Australian and UK arms have previously fitted WRXs with wings. Given the images in local approval documents show a wing, we're anticipating our version will wear the aero addenda.

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What's changed for the WRX TR?

First up, there are no changes to the WRX's 2.4-litre flat-four boxer engine. It still produces 202kW and 350Nm and is hooked up to a six-speed manual transmission.

A set of forged 19-inch alloy wheels are wrapped in sticky 245/35R19 Bridgestone Potenza S007 tyres. Behind the rims are six-piston front and two-piston rear calipers clamping 340mm (vs 315mm) and 326mm (vs 300mm) respectively.

Updated chassis settings see stiffer springs matched with revised dampers and retuned electronic power steering system for less roll and sharper responses.

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Inside, there's a pair of Recaro bucket seats upholstered in Ultrasuede with red contrast stitching. The passenger chair is manual, and the driver's is six-way adjustable – there's also no sunroof for the TR.

Performance mods are joined by the standard fitment of Subaru's EyeSight driver assist with the manual transmission for the first time.

This means manual WRXs now get adaptive cruise, lane-departure warning and AEB, just like the revised Toyota GR86 in Australia.

The Australian version of the Subar TR – or SE – is yet to be revealed. Expect more news as we approach 2024, and a similar variant to join the Aussie range for MY24.

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Our original story, below, continues unchanged

WRX 'SE' revealed in government documents

Images of a new WRX variant appeared in government approval documents. The pictures show the ‘VB’ WRX outfitted in performance parts, which one would imagine come from the brand’s STI tuning house.

However, closer inspection reveals that the front and rear clips of the black ‘SE’ pictured – likely to be known as the TR when it's revealed on Friday at Subiefest Florida – are identical to what you’d find on a standard WRX RS.

The aggressive wing – that looks very similar to the ‘VA’ STI’s item – is doing all the heavy visual lifting, giving the WRX sedan much-needed visual balance and referencing Impreza WRX STIs of old.

There are no STI badges either, and none of the tuning house’s signature Cherry Pink accentry. There are only red highlights on the Brembo brake calipers that hide behind larger 19-inch alloys (the regular WRX features 18s on all trims) that are very attractive.

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This begs the question: what is the 'WRX TR'?

On the Road Vehicle Regulator website, there are no changes to the 202kW/350Nm 2.4-litre turbo-petrol flat-four listed. It also features ‘standard equipment a’ suspension, suggesting it’ll have non-adaptive dampers as fitted to the RS variants.

Additionally, it’s listed at a mere 2kg lighter (1519kg) than a manual WRX RS and is fitted with ‘brake system b’ from the tS model. The SE has only been complied in six-speed manual trim.

Previous teasers from Subaru USA have revealed the SE will feature Recaro bucket seats, which could alone account for the weight loss. The red Brembo calipers and rotors could be lighter than the standard WRX items, too.

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One final theory is that this is a new variant similar to the 2005 Impreza WRX WRP10 that was designed to sit between the standard and STI versions. It was a whisker more powerful (7kW), sat 15mm lower than a standard WRX, and had a front strut brace. Small changes that amounted to a lot more fun on the road.

Subaru Australia's penchant for special models has been gathering steam lately. With the Outback Wilderness at one end of the spectrum and the new BRZ tS at the other, the brand was also testing the waters at SubiNats with its rugged Crosstrek Boost Gear Concept.

When asked about the new variant, a Subaru Australia spokesperson told Wheels to “stay tuned for more information about MY24 Subaru WRX Australian specification, which will be released in due course.”