Which designs stand the test of time the best? Sometimes car styling that at first seems outlandish gradually softens and becomes more normalized, such as the spaceship-esque 2017 Honda Civic Type R.

The first-generation Subaru Impreza WRX’s design didn’t need time to age before it became palatable, with a curvy exterior that was both impressive and easy on the eye from day one and would go on to become an iconic sports sedan and instantly recognizable.

Its clean styling arguably looks best without aftermarket modification, but as the base for a performance car restomod, the lightweight Impreza WRX STi makes for an eye-catching offering as evidenced by another exclusive render from HotCars artist Rostislav Prokop.

Let’s see why he chose the 22B as the template and what features in this insane restomod for street cruisers and circuit bruisers.

RELATED: Neither Early Nor Late To The Party: The New Pagani SUV Arrives To Join The Super-SUV Market

The 1998 Subaru Impreza 22B STi Dives Headfirst Into Restomod Culture

1998 Subaru 22B STI Restomod, front quarter view
HotCars Photo © 2023 Valnet

A 1998 Subaru 22B STI is the basis for Rostislav’s rendering here, in the classic color of blue, lowered, with black rims – instead of gold - on Yokohama Advan tires.

The body panels are all custom: it’s a widebody design, with the glass house above sporting the iconic rounded shape, and up back is the rear wing which was adjustable on the 22B.

You will recognize the Impreza's rear lights, now LED units, and the hood scoop atop the, well hood. The biggest – and most controversial - changes are the front lights and the hanging front splitter.

For the head lamps, there are low ‘eyelids’ that protrude over the light units with LED rims at the bottom, but you can see the same basic shape which is part of the first-gen Impreza’s DNA; if you removed the eyelids you would be staring at the iconic face of Colin McRae’s rally-winning machine.

This render car is set up for fast track use rather than rallying, which kind of flies in the face of the dirt-and-tarmac rallying spirit of the original car, but it is a modified machine rather than a restoration.

RELATED: The Car That Inspired The 240Z: The Datsun 2000 Is Back With A Sharp New Design

How Much Is A 1998 Subaru Impreza 22B STi In 2023?

It was a limited edition, the 22B, with under 500 cars made between 1998 and 1999, and most were JDM cars.

Featuring a 2.2-liter turbocharged boxer (flat) engine that was marginally bigger than the 2-liter capacity of the Subaru WRX STi, but with the same 280 hp and closer gear ratios, it also had a little more torque and earlier in the rev range. 0-60 mph took under 5 seconds.

Contemporary road tests suggested more power than the stated 280 hp which isn’t a surprise as Japanese manufacturers of performance cars would routinely under-report real output figures thanks to the gentleman’s agreement in place. Under the hood of this restomod would likely be a twin-turbocharged 6-cylinder or small V8 to produce massive power figures.

The WRX was the basis for the more performance-focused STi, and the 22B was a rare special edition; not a homologation, but to celebrate Subaru’s 40th anniversary as well as the brand’s third manufacturer title in the FIA WRC. It is today considered a unicorn, with average values around $226,000 (thanks to Classic.com) due to its short production, specialized parts and engineering, and mostly-Japanese release.

If you can find one you should hang on to it rather than restomod the car – as this machine is rarer than many supercars.