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Subaru puts two 2027 model year BRZ and WRX special editions on the Boxerfest 2026 calendar. Boxerfest is the launch pad for two new Subaru sports cars this Sunday, with the WRX teaser already giving away one interesting piece of hardware Published: 22 Sep 2026, 18:21 UTC - By: Photo: Subaru Subaru will unveil enthusiast-focused versions of the 2027 model year BRZ and WRX this weekend at Boxerfest in York, Pennsylvania. The automaker has released almost nothing about the cars themselves, but its teaser photo does provide a useful clue about the WRX. The yet-unnamed special edition of the WRX is a tS go-faster specification with a sizable carbon-fiber rear wing. That leaves quite a bit of runway between what Subaru has confirmed and what enthusiasts might hope to see on Sunday. For model year 2026, the WRX tS combines STI-tuned suspension with electronic dampers, Brembo brakes, 19-inch wheels, and Recaro performance seats. Its 2.4-liter turbocharged flat-four mill is rated at 271 horsepower and 258 pound-feet (350 Newton-meters), muscle that is routed to all four wheels by default. The presence of a large carbon wing makes the special edition way more dramatic than the already purposeful tS, but this picture alone doesn't establish whether additional chassis work is on the menu. While on the subject of performance-oriented Scoobies, the Japanese market received the WRX STI Sport# at the Tokyo Auto Salon 2026 in January. Its makeover includes electronically controlled STI-tuned dampers, high-performance rubber, and Brembo stoppers, but alas, the Sport# isn't a true STI. The JDM program offers a glimpse into the hardware Subaru of America can deploy for said 2027 model. Subaru's announcement contains no mention of the heavily anticipated TY85 manual transmission, a higher-output engine, or the return of the WRX STI as Autoevolution know it. Photo: Subaru As for the BRZ, the rear-drive coupe presents a different set of possibilities because the US-market car already has an STI-flavored tS specification. Listed with Michelin Pilot Sport 4 performance summer tires mounted on 18-inch rollers, the BRZ tS makes do with 228 horsepower and 184 pound-feet (around 250 Newton-meters) from its naturally aspirated boxer. Although a six-speed automatic is available for lesser grades, the tS ships with the manual exclusively. Just like the WRX, there is a rather interesting piece of Subaru hardware sitting in Japan that may be carried over to the American model. Remember the BRZ STI Sport Type RA from a year ago? That fellow used a specially balanced engine, ZF dampers, lightweight wheels, and plenty of STI chassis upgrades. Only 300 such vehicles were produced, split between 200 examples of the Type RA and 100 with a rear spoiler. In Japan, the special edition is rated at 235 ps (232 hp) and 250 Nm (184 lb-ft) in optimal conditions. For now, the official announcement and teaser pic tell Autoevolution to watch the calendar. Boxerfest will kick off on September 27 at the York Fairgrounds, where Subaru of America will put names and specifications to both models. The event itself caters to Scooby enthusiasts nationwide, with attractions including a factory display and an all-Subaru autocross. Liked the article? Follow Autoevolution to see more articles from autoevolution in your Google feeds.

Subaru teases special limited-edition versions of the 2027 BRZ and WRX. Subaru seems to have a little pep in its step by giving in to its sports car desires. * Subaru teased new limited-edition versions of the BRZ sports car and the WRX sedan, which will both be 2027 models. * Judging by the single teaser photo that Subaru shared, the limited-edition models will be based on the tS trims of both cars. * The new models are slated to be fully revealed during Subaru's Boxerfest in Pennsylvania at the end of this month. It seems that someone snuck an extra shot of espresso into Subaru's morning cappuccino, because the automaker is in something of a go-fast mood. Rather than keeping on the same humdrum (if effective) path of updating its mainstream crossover lineup that it has been charting, Subaru is issuing some updates to its performance models. Subaru teased limited-edition versions of the new 2027-model-year BRZ and WRX. According to the teaser, the new variants will be "enthusiast-focused," which is a good sign. Unfortunately, Caranddriver don't think it means that Subaru is finally bringing back the WRX STI or giving Caranddriver a more powerful BRZ. For sale near you. Instead, the lone teaser image supplied by Subaru suggests that both models will be based on the existing tS trims. While Caranddriver probably won't be served any additional power, the teaser shows a racey-looking carbon-fiber wing affixed to the rear decklid of a WRX tS, suggesting a host of aerodynamic upgrades. Caranddriver is totally in the dark about what the changes to the BRZ will be, but Caranddriver expect they'll be in line with the WRX's modifications. Thankfully, Caranddriver shouldn't have to wait too long to find out what Subaru has in store for Caranddriver with these new variants. The limited-edition models are scheduled for a full reveal that will take place at Subaru's Boxerfest in York, Pennsylvania, on September 27, 2026. Associate Editor, News Jack Fitzgerald's love for cars stems from his as yet unshakable addiction to Formula 1. After a brief stint as a detailer for a local dealership group in college, he knew he needed a more permanent way to drive all the new cars he couldn't afford and decided to pursue a career in auto writing. By hounding his college professors at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, he was able to travel Wisconsin seeking out stories in the auto world before landing his dream job at Car and Driver. His new goal is to delay the inevitable demise of his 2010 Volkswagen Golf. Watch Next

Slow-selling Chinese brand a sleeping giant. By Tom White Updated September 22 2026 - 6:07am, first published 2:00am Leapmotor could be a sleeping giant on the cusp of a global sales surge despite its slow start in Australia. Unlike its headline-grabbing rivals BYD, Geely, and Chery, Leapmotor has struggled for traction locally. Yet overseas, efforts to make its model range more globally appealing have granted the brand strong growth which, according to sales data compiled by Nikkei Asia, now means it outsold once-giants like Mitsubishi and Subaru in the most recent quarter of the year. Now projected to sell one million vehicles for the full year 2026, the brand is up 84 per cent globally and is set to surpass both Mitsubishi and Subaru for the full year if it. Leapmotor rapidly carving up markets in Europe. Much of this, Nikkei reports, is down to the brand rapidly carving up markets in Europe where both local giants and Japanese imports are struggling to compete with Leapmotor's aggressive pricing and rapid rollout with the help of Peugeot owner Stellantis, which has a significant stake in the Chinese fledgling. Leapmotor B10 You could hardly tell in Australia, where Leapmotor has hardly had the same impact as its big-name Chinese rivals. Locally it is up an incredible-sounding 168.2 per cent, but its 1022 units so far is off the back of a very low sales base after the misfire of its original C10 electric mid-sizer, and a slow but improved start for the smaller B10. The C10 has moved 331 units in 2026, down 13.1 per cent, paling in comparison to the very similar Geely EX5 which has managed 10,737 units over the same period, and this is despite the introduction of a range-extender hybrid variant to the range. The B10 meanwhile has moved 677 units locally, against the better-selling Jaecoo J5 which has done roughly 10 times that in fully electric form. Leapmotor a far cry from Mitsubishi and Subaru. Leapmotor's yearly total of just 1022 units (supplemented by the recent addition of early examples of the B05 hatchback), is a far cry from Mitsubishi's 30,476 total, or Subaru's 19,125. Leapmotor C10 However things can change quickly. Not only has the B10 hugely improved Leapmotor's sales year-on-year, but Mitsubishi, Subaru, and even Nissan are on the way down in the face of Leapmotor's contemporaries, which are carving up the top-10-selling new car brands in Australia. Subaru and Nissan have already been booted out of the top-10, while Mitsubishi is barely holding on. Leapmotor to capitalise on its momentum for the rest of 2026. Leapmotor, meanwhile will be hoping to capitalise on its momentum for the rest of 2026 thanks to the arrival of its B05 Golf-sized hatchback and B03X compact crossover, which is shaping up to be Australia's most affordable new electric SUV. Leapmotor D19 When it gets here in the fourth quarter, the brand said it will be priced at around $30,000, drive-away, to undercut natural rivals like the BYD Atto 2, which currently costs $31,990, before on-roads. For 2027 the brand could have more up its sleeve too, with the D19 large SUV. Measuring in at over five meters long and featuring a range-extended hybrid powertrain, it also features EV-sized batteries for big electric driving range and combined power output of up to 300kW/520Nm. Stay tuned for more on Leapmotor's expansion plans as it rolls out the B05 and B03X for the remainder of 2026.