We'll see the 2015 Subaru WRX in the flesh next week at the LA Auto Show, but one detail just slid across our desk that is rather interesting. The WRX will be available with a CVT or a manual transmission.
This roadmap of Subaru's plans for the 2015 WRX and WRX STI was just sent our way, and didn't reveal much that we didn't know. The WRX gets a 2.0 liter turbo four for the first time since it moved to a 2.5 in 2006. The WRX STI sticks with a 2.5 liter turbo four and also gets a "launch edition" that is only available in my personal favorite car color, WR Blue. Hopefully gold wheels are a thing too.
While the STI is only available with a manual trans (heck yes), the automatic option for the WRX is no longer a traditional automatic, but a CVT. It does make sense, as the car is based on the Impreza which already offers a CVT as the automatic option.
CVTs aren't typically thought of as a sporty option, though they were tested in F1 for quite a while. We'll have to see just how Subaru tunes it before we pass final judgement.
Or we'll just drive the manual always and not worry about the CVT. Either or.