Subaru has confirmed plans to revive its performance heritage through a new specialized division focused on enthusiast vehicles, with at least three manual sports cars set for launch by the end of 2026.

The brand formed a Product Innovation Division that houses a Sports Vehicle Planning Office devoted only to upcoming performance models.

Subaru chief technical officer Tetsuro Fujinuki disclosed the change during an interview with Japanese outlet Best Car, describing a fresh approach to sports car creation.

"The Sports Vehicle Planning Office concentrates on sports models," Mr Fujinuki explained.

"We moved away from prior processes. They felt repetitive. Confirmation meetings would follow one another, often repeating the same materials."

"We shifted to fully digital development instead. The results were strong. Development pace quickened and allowed more ambitious steps."

The news follows Subaru's preview of three manual performance cars - a WRX, BRZ, and a new performance hatch - expected before late 2026.

Establishing a dedicated planning office shows Subaru aims to sustain petrol-powered enthusiast cars even as emissions rules tighten and the industry moves toward electrification.

Mr Fujinuki noted that stronger sales of Subaru hybrids and electric models, such as the Crosstrek and Forester Hybrids plus the Solterra, Uncharted and Trailseeker EVs, have created flexibility for continued performance investment.

He added that stricter emissions rules once limited higher-output versions of Subaru turbo petrol engines, yet robust demand for electrified vehicles has improved the company's overall emissions standing.

This shift has let engineers explore more powerful versions of the FA24 2.4-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol boxer engine.

Mr Fujinuki also confirmed Subaru retains tooling for the heavy-duty TY85 six-speed manual transmission once used in the WRX STI, even after its discontinuation following the prior generation in 2021.

Although he did not specify outputs for upcoming models, he pointed out that the motorsport version of the FA24 already exceeds 350hp (261kW), indicating greater potential than the current road WRX delivers.

Subaru has verified three manual performance models are underway.

These comprise an updated WRX with the stronger TY85 six-speed manual, a focused BRZ coupe drawn from the Japan-only STI Sport Type RA, and a fresh five-door performance hatch inspired by the Performance-B STI concept, expected to use the WRX 2.4-litre turbo boxer engine.

Subaru has called the hatch a model with "a new personality" distinct from the WRX and BRZ, though it has not confirmed whether it will revive the Impreza WRX hatch format or adopt a new name.

None of the three models has been confirmed for Australia, yet the new sports car division points to ongoing commitment beyond this initial group.

The move marks a change for a brand that recently emphasized SUVs, EVs and hybrids while letting models like the WRX STI exit the global range.

The WRX remains available in Australian showrooms from $48,890, but the WRX STI has been absent since 2021 after VA-series production ended. Subaru stated in March 2022 that no next-generation STI based on the VB-series WRX would be produced.