Subaru Promises WRX TR Will Be ‘Enthusiast-Focused’

by Matthew Guy

Published: September 28th, 2023

subaru promises wrx tr will be enthusiast focused

Fans of the Exploding Galaxy will be interested to learn the company is bringing back a TR variant of its WRX. When last seen about 15 years ago, the TR stood for ‘tuner ready’ – essentially a base WRX with a few deleted features and lower price tag.

Will that be the same formula this time around? Hard to say. The teaser shot shows a Brembo-branded brake caliper peeking out from behind a wheel whose style does not match any currently on offer. This car’s red paint is available on all existing trims, so that detail doesn’t help. We will note the addition of Brembos runs anthetical to the original TR’s premise which was to provide WRX fans with a blank canvas on which to build their own track weapon. Perhaps TR will stand for ‘track ready’ this time around.

If yer curious, the ’07 WRX TR yanked several items from the base WRX including the upmarket radio and speakers. Auto climate control was replaced with standard air conditioning, rear cupholders and a few other storage places vanished, some exterior trim was left unfinished, and fog lamps disappeared (though they could be optioned back in). Seats were a bit different, as well. Sticker price was $24,620, exactly a grand less than the base WRX.

Today’s WRX starts at $30,605 which is well south of the ’07 price tag when adjusted for inflation. The last TR weighed about 3,200 pounds while a 2023 WRX bends the scales at roughly 3,300 pounds if you’re looking for ammo at your next pub quiz.

Subaru says the 2024 WRX TR will debut on October 7 at Subiefest Florida in Daytona Beach. Travis Pastrana will apparently be on hand, as will Bucky Lasek who is known for skateboarding or rallycross depending and not optometry, despite his last name being suspiciously similar to a popular corrective eye surgery.

[Image: Subaru]

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Matthew Guy

Matthew buys, sells, fixes, & races cars. As a human index of auto & auction knowledge, he is fond of making money and offering loud opinions.

More by Matthew Guy

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2 of 16 comments

Sgeffe on Sep 30, 2023

There's someone around where I live who has a recent WRX-STi, but the few times I've been behind this guy, he's always driving right at the underposted arbitrary numbers that some politician pulled out of their backside and slapped on a sign! With no gendarmes or schoolkids present! Haven't been behind this driver on the freeway, but my guess is that he does the left lane police thing with the best of 'em!

What's the point of buying such a vehicle if you're never going to exceed a speed limit? (And I've pondered that whilst in line in the left lane at 63mph behind a couple of Accord V6s, as well as an AMG E-Klasse!)

1 Reply
Stuki Moi on Oct 01, 2023

What Subaru taketh away in costs, dealers will no doubt add right back in adjustments.... Fat chance Subaru will offer a sufficient supply of them.

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