Race car engineering company Prodrive has announced a modern version of Subaru’s legendary Impreza-based 22B. Called the Prodrive P25, it seeks to offer a modern interpretation of the 22B, adding power and technology while staying true to the iconic look of the original.
In 1997, Subaru won the third of three consecutive manufacturers’ championships in the World Rally Championship (WRC). To mark that achievement and to commemorate Subaru’s 40th anniversary, the motorsport division, Subaru Techinca International (STI), built the 22B the following year. Just over 400 examples were built in a limited edition.
The stock WRX STi engine was bored out to 2.2 liters and was officially listed as 280 horsepower (276 horsepower) when it debuted during Japan’s Gentleman’s Agreement era. However, the actual output would be over 300 horses. In addition, the 22B had some exclusive aero bits, most notably the flared fenders and bigger wheels to match the WRC car. Today, these cars have sold at auction for over $300,000.
The Prodrive P25 will use Impreza cars as a base, but equipped with a 2.5-liter Subaru boxer engine modified to deliver 400 horsepower. Instead of an old-fashioned 5-speed stick, shifting will be made with a 6-speed paddle shift semi-automatic. Prodrive says the body will make extensive use of carbon fiber.
Based in the UK, Prodrive has helped create numerous iconic race cars, including the Group A Bastos E30 BMW M3, the Dakar Rally Raid Rothmans Porsche 959 and the 2011-13 Mini WRC cars. The Impreza WRC cars can be counted among them, but in Y2K Prodrive also started building Impreza-based road cars like the Prodrive P1, from which the name of the P25 seems to be derived (the “25” part marks 25 years since winning the third WRC).
Back then, in the UK as it was in the US, the hottest Imprezas weren’t officially available from Subaru. Unlike the US, Subaru didn’t even offer a two-door coupé version of the Impreza there. Prodrive began modifying the Japanese-imported WRX STi Type R coupes, adapting suspension components to British roads and tuning the engine to comply with local emissions regulations. Although WRX ST crossed borders through a healthy gray market, the Prodrive P1 is the only 100% legal 2-door Impreza available in the country.
“The original 22B Impreza is considered Subarus’ most iconic and highly sought after,” said Prodrive chairman David Richards. “We wanted to improve on everything that made that car so special by applying the very latest technology to create our own modern interpretation of a car that has taken a place in automotive history.”
Only 25 units will be built, with the first to be delivered by the end of the year. The Prodrive P25 will make its public debut this summer at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. To order one, contact Prodrive through their website.
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