In the 90s, Subaru was the manufacturer to beat in the world of rallying, thanks in part to the efforts of star driver and rally legend Colin McRae.
Their success caused the launch of the first Impreza WRX, or World Rally Experimental, in 1992, and followed up the Impreza WRX STI in 1994 after an amazing rally season.
Then, in 1998, the most iconic model came: the Impreza 22B STI. It celebrated the Subaru World Rally Team's hat trick of World Rally Championship titles between 1995 and 1997, and only 424 were ever made, making it one of the rarest Subaru's in the world
The 22B was also built to celebrate Subaru's 40th anniversary, with the company originally planning just 400 examples for its home market. An additional 24 were built for export markets, including 16 for the United Kingdom.
So what’s so good about the 22B? Based on the two-door shell of the limited-run STi Version V, but with heavily flared guards, the 22B ran a hand-assembled version of the WRX’s turbo flat-four with capacity upped from 1994 to 2212cc.
The “22” in the name refers to the 2.2-liter displacement of its engine, instead the 2.0-liter displacement that regular WRX models came with. The “B” is thought to be Subaru's internal code for turbocharged engines, though there's also the thinking it might be a reference to the Bilstein dampers fitted to the car.
A closed-deck block housed a set of forged pistons fed by stronger, sodium-filled valves, with metal gaskets and molybdenum-coated internals used throughout, and the top-mount intercooler was given a water-sprayer.
The engine was rated at 276 horsepower as part of an agreement on horsepower limits between Japan's automakers at the time, though its true output likely lies somewhere above 300 hp. The car also features a functional hood scoop, rear wing, gold wheels, fog light covers, flared wheel arches, plus much more to pronounce its significance. It's arguably the most iconic WRX ever made.
Even so, you will be rubbing your eyes and taking a second look after seeing this price. Because it costs 100000 to 400000 dollars depending on it's condtion. And I know what you're thinking. 100000 dollars for a Subaru. Well yes, because it's ultra rare and has some serious rally heritage. Because this car was driven by Collin Mcrae and if that isn't a good enough point then I don't know what is.
There you have it. I hoped you enjoyed this as much as I did writing it.