AFTER 25 YEARS, THE PRODRIVE SUBARU 22B RETURNS LIGHTER, FASTER AND A LOT MORE EXPENSIVE.
JDM fans no doubt lost their collective minds when news of this very special car dubbed the P25 was released, especially fans of the flat-4 Subaru things. It’s hard to believe it, but one of Subaru’s most iconic cars was released a whopping 25 years ago already - the uber-rare and very sought-after 22B. Besides only having two doors, it was made more special thanks to a host of changes over the regular Subaru STi, the fact that a mere 424 units were produced meant the car was instantly collectable and was guaranteed that its value would eventually appreciate. Right now, if you can find one for sale, you’d likely fork out enough money to buy a pair of the range-topping models available on showroom floors in 2022. In that 25-year span since the car was released, there are bound to be many that were totaled in some or other way. It’s reported that 400 units stayed in the Japanese Domestic Market with the rest being scattered around the world to various collectors. Some Googling shows that Australia received just five units, as did the UK (although reports are that only 3 remain) and for our market, SXdrv knows of just one in SA. Luckily it’s in the right hands and had a great restoration a while back.
That original 22B was prepared by Prodrive, and the well-known tuning company is back with the original 22B in a completely different but absolutely amazing spec. The company has managed to round up 25 models that actually have an original 2-door Impreza chassis, and these will be rebuilt to the specification of this first one that was just debuted at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed. Of course, this recent incarnation has been put together using the latest technologies available to result in a lighter (the car weighs less than 1200 kg), and faster (thanks to a 400 hp 2.5-litre flat-4) end product with looks that can rival anything modern. The biggest thing we see is with the weight though. While a 22B wasn’t a heavyweight by any standards, the use of carbon-composite materials for the boot, bonnet, roof, sills, door mirrors, front and rear quarters, as well as optional lightweight race seats with carbon door cards and a lithium-ion battery results in the amazing package you see here.
Amazingly, this limited edition R25 was worked on by the same man responsible for the original one all those years ago, Peter Stevens. David Richards, Prodrive chairman, said: “The iconic blue Subarus bring back memories of an extraordinary era of the WRC and it was the Impreza 22B that brought this rally car performance to the road. By reimagining this car using the latest technologies and materials the Prodrive P25 pays homage to its roots and there will be little else able to match its performance on the open road. I therefore believe we have achieved our vision of creating our own modern interpretation of the most iconic Subaru Impreza ever.”
The Prodrive Subaru Impreza B22 P25 will be built at the Prodrive headquarters in Banbury, UK and the first units will be delivered to customers later this year already. That's amazing, almost as amazing as the fact that this super-special P25 will see prospective owners shell out a stonking £460,000 + VAT.
Take a look at the YouTube video from the first day of the 2022 instalment of the Goodwood Festival of Speed where you can spot lots of awesomeness, including this absolutely amazing Prodrive Subaru 22B P25 ripping it up the legendary hill: Goodwood FOS 2022 | DAY 1 - Prodrive P25, Pastrana's Subaru, Jesko, Liberty Walk S15 & More! | MattyB727 - Car Videos
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SPECS
Engine
2.5-litre boxer - Variable cam timing - Garrett performance road turbo with anti-lag - Akrapovič racing exhaust with active silencer by-pass - 400 hp - 600 Nm
Chassis & bodyshell
Subaru Impreza WRX steel monocoque - Carbon fibre bonnet, boot, front and rear quarters, roof, front & rear bumper - Impreza WRC rear wing
Transmission
4-wheel drive - 6-speed X-shift sequential gearbox with helical gears - Semi-auto paddle shift gear change - AP Racing twin plate clutch - Active and adjustable electronic centre differential - Plated limited slip differentials front and rear
Suspension
Bilstein two-way adjustable dampers - Upright adjustable for toe and camber - Changeable springs and anti-roll bars
Wheels & Brakes
AP Racing 380 mm vented discs with 6-piston calipers in front - AP Racing 350 mm vented discs with 4-piston calipers in rear - Bridgestone 8.5 x 19 rims - Bridgestone Potenza 235/35/R19 tyres
Interior
MoTeC widescreen high definition multi-page driver display - Full electronic power management system - WRC style fly-off hydraulic handbrake - Optional lightweight racing seat - Optional partial safety cage - Lithium-ion lightweight battery