We all love seeing old friends come alive again. Let’s get in shape. Dress up in a new style. Remember what they love and awaken anew.
Newer Subarus are okay, but so-so. You can still build the Outback of your dreams. But it wasn’t my passion for my previous hobby. There, he was more likely to build his Toyota EV with the wheels off and rebadged than to call an old tuner friend about a weekend of racing.
But earlier this year, you noticed Subaru getting up early and running through the morning fog. It started sounding like itself again. I refreshed my wardrobe. I thought the old days would come back.
This seemed more likely when it showed off the 2024 BRZ tS, a more performance-focused edition of the BRZ. You suspected it was reawakening to its old hobbies.
And now you have the proof. The automaker, once known for its amazing rally-inspired cars that fed the tuning community, unveiled one to its old crew this week.
“Subaru of America, Inc. today collaborated with Subaru Motorsports USA driver and extreme sports icon Travis Pastrana and legendary professional skateboarder and rallycrosser Bucky Lasek to create a sharper, more The company has announced that the 2024 WRX TR, focused on enthusiasts, will make its debut at Subeefest in Florida.
The TR nickname is an old Subaru trick. It means “tuner ready”. That badge is traditionally placed on WRXs that are intended to be modified. The 2006 TR received several performance upgrades, including a more powerful turbo engine and improved brakes. But Subaru omitted all the luxuries (I said 2006) because they assumed people were buying it to get in the mood for track day and didn’t need a six-disc CD changer.
We don’t know what the current TR will include. Photos released by Subaru with the announcement show a set of Brembo brakes, but there are no other clues.
But the TR edition is a great sign that Subaru is back to its old ways. Combined with the BRZ tS, the company is rethinking its performance reputation.
And of course, it’s not the STI everyone wants from Subaru. However, with performance models and rallycross events, it seems like Subaru is aiming for something.