Sayonara: Subaru Impreza 22B STi

Rarity

Perhaps the hype surrounding Japanese modern classics is thanks to the ‘Fast & Furious’ film series, or maybe it’s the victories (and tragedies) in the World Rally Championship. It probably started with a sense of patriotism in Japan, but then the wave swept across to the USA and a few years ago made it to Europe. In Switzerland, Subaru has always had a special standing. When the first Subaru models came onto the market here in 1979, they were the 4×4 pioneers – and quickly gained an excellent reputation. But it wasn’t just mountain farmers who loved their ‘Subis’; from the 90s, there were also the winged monsters that appealed to a completely new clientele.

The Subaru Impreza came onto the market in 1992, and the so-called WRX models were available from the first generation, initially only for the Japanese market. In Europe, they were known as the Impreza Turbo. The range of sports variants is worthy of a doctoral thesis. In Switzerland alone, there were another eight special models between 1996 and 2000 (GT Rally (1996), GT 555 (1996 and 1998), GT Collection Edition (1998), GT WRX (1999, 80 units), GT SuperRacing (1999, 150 units), GT RS (2000, 325 units) and GT Blackstar (2000, 100 units). Things get really crazy when you look at the right-hand drive versions for Japan, Australia and England, there are dozens of them – and some of them have long since achieved cult status. And they have become really, really expensive; we will present a few examples from time to time as part of our little series ‘Sayonara’. Today, the 22B.

Of these, 399 were produced for Japan in 1998, with another 25 units produced for the rest of the world. They also became famous because the works drivers at the time, Colin McRae, Nicky Grist and David Lapworth, received a copy that they also used extensively for promotions. The designation 22B was given because the 2-litre turbo was increased to 2.2 litres of displacement, and a few other fine components were also obtained from racing, which brought its performance to an impressive 280 hp. The powerful turbocharger helped the ‘Subi’ achieve great torque. But the vehicles built by STI (Subaru Tecnica International) received much more: front bumper like the vehicles for the World Rally Championship with round fog lamp surrounds, golden 17-inch BBS wheels (17×8.5JJ), wider tyres (235/40ZR17 Pirelli P-Zero tyres), front and rear wheel arch extensions, a rear bumper like the ones used in World Rally Championship cars, painted side skirts, door handles and mirrors, a really large, self-adjusting rear wing, red and white STI rear lights, a 22B emblem on the tailgate and a rear window wiper.

Of course, the market for right-hand drive Subaru special edition models in Europe (with the exception of England) is rather marginal. But they are fascinating vehicles that definitely deserve attention here too. And in an otherwise rather dry market, these cult cars from Japan are a wonderful splash of colour; in the USA, prices well over $200,000 have been paid. We have more about this in the archive.