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Prodrive P25 is a 400hp 22B update… at £552,000

 Yes, you read that right, This Subaru Impreza is going to cost £552,000! However, let’s backtrack a little and see what makes up this limited-run celebration of 90s 4WD turbocharged chaos.

The Prodrive P25 Impreza is a modern interpretation of arguably the most revered STi to date, the 22B. The 22B was Subaru’s initial celebration of winning the WRC championship. While most of the 425 cars were built in Japan, the UK models were assembled by the Prodrive crew all the way back in 1999, 23 years ago, and were a hit, they are rumoured to have sold out in 48 hours.

This essence is the basis of the P25, all 25 of them being built on original steel-bodied WRX chassis, which judging by the fact it is a 2-door could very possibly be the P1 chassis, another 2 door Impreza Prodrive had a large hand in building. To counteract the weight, almost all of the bodywork is carbon fibre, and it worked only weighing in at 1200kg. The bodywork more resembles the WRC car, especially with the tiny wing mirrors for aerodynamics. 

This ultralight still needed a power source, which is based on Subaru’s latest 2.5L boxer engine. However, everything beyond the basic block is Prodrive, with the help of a Garett turbo and an Akrapovič exhaust. this results in over 400hp and 600nm of torque. this is sent to the active centre diff through a 6-speed sequential box, operated by paddles. 2 more limited-slip diffs split the power to all 4 wheels.

The suspension is fully adjustable MacPherson struts by Bilstein, which suspend the body over Bridgestone 19″ wheels wrapped in Bridgestone Potenza tyres.

The Interior is also a mix of road car and WRC, with a full data logging system and MoTeC Electronic Racing instruments as well as an optional set of bucket seats and half-cage. Without the half cage, the P25 is able to carry 4 people in relative comfort, with leather and Alcantara.

Now the big number, £552,000. While 22B values have shot up massively few have reached even half the value of the P25, and what’s more the car doesn’t have 25 years of history behind it. However, there are probably 25 people on this earth who wants a 90s Impreza that could kill any of the 4WD super hatches on sale today, and who are willing to pony up that amount of money. This car is meant for JDM superfans who have hit the financial jackpot, which probably explains the low production run. 

Another interesting thing is that the sequential gearbox, which when launch control is activated, will automatically go through the second and third. This is to get the 0-60 down and make sure the car isn’t hampered by human error on its way to 60mph. This is at the sacrifice of a proper H-pattern manual, which will definitely upset the purists.

But overall I think Prodrive have done a good job. The price is steep and the gearbox isn’t for everyone, but looks like a modern 22B, goes like hell and would put a smile on any Subie fan’s face. 

Also, they are already all sold out, so if you were interested in buying one, tough luck.

Thanks for reading.

Published in New and Noteworthy

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David Olsen-Fabian
1 year ago

You can bet that the 400hp power figure is a very conservative number. Almost irrelevant, really. It’s a ProDrive monster. It’s built to fly. On land or air this thing will wail. Is it worth the coin? Umm, YOU KNOW IT!
*don’t like subbies but I do love Prodrive and what they can do. I’d rock this monster, given the coin.

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