Prodrive turns GC8 Impreza WRX into ultimate Subaru 22B Hommage

Highlights of the Prodrive P25 Subaru 22B tribute item:

Prodrive, the British shop behind the 90s WRC cars that led to the Subaru 22B, pays a modern tribute, the P25
Based on an original GC8 Impreza WRX, the Prodrive P25 features carbon fiber bodywork, a turbocharged 400hp boxer, and a host of suspension, brake and drivetrain upgrades.
With a price tag of $564,000 and a production of 25 units, UK only, the P25 is rarer and more expensive than an original 22B

Nostalgia, while a powerful force, is not the only thing that shapes the classic car world; respect too. And among rally and JDM fans, few cars are as respected as the Subaru 22B. Often considered the ultimate Impreza, the 22B has inspired countless tribute builds and clones. But now the ghosts behind the Subaru WRC cars that the 22B aspires to honor with a tribute. And just like the original, the Prodrive P25 takes the WRX to a whole new level.

Legendary motorsports company Prodrive has another WRC-inspired GC8 Impreza

1996 Prodrive Subaru Impreza Group A WRC car | Prodrive

Many are at least casually familiar with Subaru Tecnica International, the ‘STI’ in ‘WRX STI’ and Subaru’s performance division. But there’s another name worth remembering, and that’s Prodrive. The British store has taken part in a variety of events, including Le Mans, British Touring Car and World Sportscar. However, it is most closely associated with Subaru and rallying.

When the WRC moved from Group B to Group A rules, Prodrive was the one who built Subaru’s rally cars† And these cars dominated in the 90s and early 200s. Subaru won three consecutive titles from 1995-97, with Collin McRae taking the win in 1995. In addition, the Prodrive Imprezas won eight of 14 WRC events in 1997. It was these victories that inspired Subaru to make the original 22B†

But while Prodrive helped design the 22B, Subaru never sold it in the UK. It did, however, order the store to make a version for the European market, the Impreza P1. Based on the GC8 Impreza WRX STi Type R, it does not have the enlarged boxer engine of the 22B. But it has similar body, chassis and suspension mods, as well as OZ Racing wheels and a larger rear wing.

However, in the years since the 22B and P1, Prodrive has not been idle. In addition to racing, the shop has also provided suspension, composite engineering and prototyping expertise to the automotive and aerospace industries. For example, he was able to mimic the Ferrari 550 GTS race car and build Ian Callum’s BRX T1 offroader. The ride say.

And now, 25 years after that win in 1997, Prodrive is turning a limited number of GC8 WRXs into ultra-modern tributes to the Subaru 22B.

The Prodrive P25 is a GC8 Impreza WRX transformed into a Singer-level carbon fiber Subaru 22B tribute

Prodrive P25 | P25

1998 Subaru Impreza 22B STi | Subaru

When I was in high school I watched an anime called eX driver which featured a WRC-ready WRX in the premiere episode. If you read through the specs of the Prodrive P25, it doesn’t just seem like a Subaru 22B homage, but a true replica of that car. And I mean that in the most amazing way possible.

At first glance, the Prodrive P25 looks almost identical to the Subaru 22B and Impreza P1, which is no coincidence. First, the same man who designed the Impreza WRC cars and the P1, Peter Stevens, also wrote the P25. And second, beneath its carbon fiber bodywork, the P25 is: a GC8 Impreza WRX† However, as that bit about carbon fiber suggests, it’s far from stock.

First, those carbon composite body panels — including the wing and mirrors — mean the Prodrive P25 weighs less than 2650 lbs. That’s about 100 pounds lighter than a standard GC8 WRX and about 200 pounds lighter than an original Subaru 22B. It’s even lighter than the OG Impreza WRC rally car, The ride notes. And that’s with an upgraded interior with leather, Alcantara and yes, carbon trim.

Second, the Prodrive P25 is much more powerful than a 1990s Impreza. Under the carbon fiber hood is a custom turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder. It’s based on a modern Subaru boxer block, but thanks to modified internals, a new Garrett turbo, variable valve timing and a titanium-and-stainless steel Akrapovic exhaust, it delivers 400 horsepower and 442 lb-ft of torque. That’s more than the Subaru 22B or 2022 WRX brand† And the bike has customizable mapping and rally-style anti-lag that injects fuel into the turbo to keep it on coils.

Prodrive went beyond the engine and body to honor the Subaru 22B

Prodrive P25 rear 3/4 | Prodrive

Plus, Prodrive has reworked the rest of the powertrain to handle that extra power. The boxer is connected to a paddle-shifted six-speed gearbox sequential transmission with helical gears and an active center differential. In addition, the launch control of the P25 works via the first three gears. The result is a claimed 3.5-second 0-60 mph time, which explains the ventilated AP Racing disc brakes.

But wait, there’s more. In addition to the active center differential, the P25 also has two differential locks, one at the front and one at the rear. The interior also has two handbrakes: an electronic parking brake and a rally-style hydraulic brake that also disengages the rear differential. In addition, the reworked suspension features aluminum components and adjustable Bilstein shocks. And not only is there a digital display with a data logger in it, but buyers can replace the rear seat with a full roll cage.

How much does the restomod cost compared to a ‘real’ 22B?

Unfortunately, like the Subaru 22B and the Impreza P1 before it, the Prodrive P25 is not coming to the US. And even if it did, you’d have to fight tooth and nail to get one because the company only builds 25 units.

At current exchange rates, the P25 also starts at about $564,000 before value added tax. That’s more than a moment an immaculate original 22B costsor enough to buy 10-15 Impreza P1s based on the past Collecting cars auction results.

But to be fair, even the 22B doesn’t have all the bells, whistles and carbon fiber that the P25 has. Furthermore, I’d love to Cyan Racing’s P1800, this is a car built by experts imbued with knowledge of Subaru racing. It’s a bit like Enzo Ferrari restored a 250 GTO. And even if we Yanks can’t get one, at least we can watch as it tackles the upcoming hill climb of the Goodwood Festival of Speed.

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