It’s been 25 years since Prodrive introduced the two-door Impreza World Rally Car (WRC), which inspired the Subaru Impreza 22B. Only 424 of these special edition road cars were made, and over time it has achieved cult status as the best turbocharged four-wheel drive car of its time.

Now, 25 years later, using the latest technology and materials, Prodrive has reimagined what this car looks like today. Only 25 cars will be produced, each with the original Impreza WRX two-door chassis at its core. This is the same chassis that was used on the first Impreza WRC, but now with a lighter weight, more powerful engine and better vehicle dynamics.

The extensive use of carbon composites means the car weighs less than 1,200kg. The use of a new 2.5-liter four-cylinder boxer engine that produces over 400bhp and 600Nm of torque, combined with a six-speed semi-automatic gearbox, WRC-derived launch control and anti-lag turbo, means the P25 will reach 100 km/h. from rest in less than 3.5 seconds.

The weight of the chassis is removed by making the trunk, hood, roof, sills, mirrors, front and rear, WRC-style rear wing and bumpers from carbon composite, while inside are optional lightweight racing seats with carbon door cards and lithium – ion batteries.

The engine is based on Subaru’s latest 2.5-liter cylinder block, but has been completely redesigned by the Prodrive powertrain team with custom internals, including new cylinder liners, pistons, connecting rods and a new valve assembly, with variable cam timing. There’s a Garrett motorsport turbo with performance intercooler and airbox and a titanium and stainless steel Akrapovic racing exhaust system.

The engine is mated to a six-speed sequential gearbox with helical gears and semi-automatic shifting via paddles on the steering column, providing precise gear changes in 80 milliseconds. The car features a WRC-style launch control system, which incorporates a fly-by-wire throttle and clutch in a floor-mounted pedal box to automatically put the car into first, second, and third gear to achieve acceleration. . intervention.

Power is sent to all four wheels via a drivetrain that features an adjustable active center differential and front and rear limited-slip differentials. The McPherson strut suspension has been retained, but with machined aluminum supports that are adjustable for camber and optimized geometry for a wider 1770mm track. Bilstein shock absorbers are adjustable for compression and rebound, while springs and stabilizer bars optimize handling on asphalt.

Braking power is provided by AP Racing brakes with 380mm ventilated discs and six-piston calipers at the front and 350mm ventilated discs and four-piston calipers at the rear with floating hood and multiple cushioning options. The Prodrive 8.5 x 19 rims are equipped with Bridgestone Potenza 235/35/19 tires paired with shock absorbers.

The driver dashboard is a full-width, high-definition, multi-page display that includes a data logger. For those looking to get the car around the track, the driver can choose from a variety of throttle response and engine performance maps, including anti-lag tuning. There is also a WRC-type hydraulic handbrake, which automatically releases the center differential to move away from the rear wheels. This is in addition to the standard electric parking brake.

While the Prodrive focus has been on the driving experience, the interior has also been upgraded, creating an authentic late 1990s Impreza interior using a combination of leather, alcantara and carbon trim. The P25 can carry four passengers, but there is also the option to remove the rear seats and install a partial bolster cage.

Peter Stevens, who designed the original Impreza WRC in 1997, as well as the subsequent limited edition Subarus Prodrive, has redesigned a number of the P25’s features. Peter has worked with the Prodrive engineering team, overseen by Technical Director David Lapworth, who was responsible for developing the first Impreza WRC 25 years ago.

David Richards, President of Prodrive, said: “The iconic blue Subaru brings back memories of the great WRC era and it was the Impreza 22B that brought this rally car performance to the road. By reinventing this car using the latest technology and materials, the Prodrive P25 pays homage to its roots and there will be little else to match its performance on the open road. Therefore, I believe we have achieved our vision of creating our own modern interpretation of the most iconic Subaru Impreza in history.”

The first P25 development car will do several uphill races at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, before embarking on an extensive testing and development program.

The 25 production cars will be built at Prodrive’s headquarters in Banbury, England, with the first deliveries to customers later this year.

The P25 will be registered for circulation in the UK and will be priced at £460,000 + VAT.

SPECIFICATION

Machine
2.5 liter ‘boxer’ 4 cylinder horizontally opposite
variable time
Garrett motorsport turbo with anti-lag
Akrapovic racing exhaust with bypass valve
Power >400 hp
Torque >600Nm

Chassis and bodywork
Subaru Impreza WRX steel monocoque
Carbon fiber: hood, trunk, front and rear, roof, front and rear bumpers Rear spoiler
Impreza WRC
Track width: 1770mm

Transmission
4 wheel drive
Six-speed X-Shift sequential gearbox with helical gears
semi-automatic gear with paddle shift
AP Racing Dual Plate Clutch
Active and adjustable electronic center differential
limited slip padded front and back

Suspension
MacPherson macpherson front and rear
Two-way adjustable Bilstein shock
Adjustable stand for toe and tilt
Interchangeable stabilizer springs and rods

wheels and brakes
AP Racing
Front: 380mm ventilated disc, six-piston calipers
rear: 350mm ventilated disc, four-piston calipers
Bridgestone Rims 8.5 x 19
Bridgestone Potenza tires 235/35/19

In
Motec high definition widescreen display and multiple driver pages
System data logging capacity
full electronic power management
WRC style hydraulic handbrake
Lightweight racing seat
optional Optional partial safety enclosure
Lightweight lithium ion battery