It’s been 25 years since Subaru, with the help of Prodrive, entered the first Impreza WRC rally car at the World Rally Championships, and Prodrive has come up with something special to mark the anniversary.
The British motorsports and engineering company has developed a modernized version of the iconic Impreza 22B STI, launched by Subaru in 1998 to celebrate the Subaru World Rally Team’s hat-trick World Rally Championship title between 1995 and 1997.
Prodrive’s car is called the P25, and it was unveiled on Monday before its official debut at this week’s 2022 Goodwood Festival of Speed in the UK. Only 25 examples have been made, customer delivery will begin later this year. For the 22B, 424 of them were built, all with right-hand drive.
The P25 is based on the 1990 GC8-generation Impressor coupe version and closely matches the design of the 22B. Peter Stevens, who designed the original Impreza WRC, was responsible for the design of the modern car. There’s no pink STI badge, but there’s a pumped rear fender and shelf-like rear wing borrowed from the 22B’s design. The P25 also has an increased front intake and aerodynamically shaped side mirrors.
Performance is a big step in 22B, as you might have guessed. Power comes from a Subaru turbocharged 2.5-liter Flat-4 that has been completely redesigned by ProDrive, new internal, a Garrett motorsports-spec turbocharger, high-flow intake and intercooler system, and an acropovic exhaust. The engine delivers more than 400 hp and sends power to four wheels via a 6-speed sequential transmission. The 22B has a turbocharged 2.2-liter Flat-4 and 5-speed manual. Although it was officially rated at 276 hp, the actual output was close to 300 hp.
1998 Subaru Impreza 22B STI
The P25 also features a WRC-style launch control system, which combines the fly-by-wire throttle and the clutch in a floor-mounted paddle box to automatically move the vehicle through first, second and third gear to achieve thunderstorm acceleration from stagnation without a driver. Goes. Interference Prodrive estimates a 0-60 mph time of less than 3.5 seconds for its P25.
The suspension has a McPherson strut with aluminum upright that can be tuned for the camber. There are also bilstein dampers that are adjustable for compression and rebound, while springs and anti-roll bars have their own specific tuning properties. Completing the mechanical package is a compatible active center differential, as well as front and rear limited-slip differential and AP racing brakes. Extensive use of carbon-fiber and other compounds means the car weighs less than 2,645 pounds.
A P25 is priced at 460,000 British pounds (about $ 563,000).
David Richards, chairman of Prodrive, said in a statement: “The original 22B Impreza is considered to be the most iconic of the Subaras and is extremely popular.” We wanted to improve everything that made that car special. “
Visitors to the Speed Goodwood Festival will see the P25 in action. The festival runs June 23-26 and you can see our full coverage at our Dedicated Hub.