Would you pay $100,000+ for a Subaru? Well, that's roughly what it would cost to get your hands on a Subaru Impreza 22B STi. The classic two-door design and right-hand drive configuration is iconic, even when compared to Japan's other rally masterpieces. Originally released in 1998, its 2.2L turbocharged and inter-cooled engine gave the car a zero to 60 mph time of 4.7 seconds. That's only roughly half a second off of the zero to 60 mph time of Porsche's 911 model in the same era.
The 22B was -- and still is -- seriously fast.
However, it's the car's handling that really sets it apart. According to Car and Driver's original 1999 review of the Subaru, the 22B achieved 0.96 g of lateral grip on the pavement. When compared again with one of its modern counterparts, the 2018 Subaru WRX STI achieves a lateral grip of 0.93 g -- making it slightly less grippy than the 1998 22B.
The 22B's rally pedigree is also considered legendary. Colin McRae's rode the Subaru to fame during his famed 1990s WRC run. In 1991 and 1992, McRae was the British Rally Champion, and in 1995, he became the youngest to win the World Rally Championship Drivers' title at age 27. He was also one of the first people to ever drive the 22B, receiving the 1996-1997 prototype models before they were released to market.
Under the Hood Of The Subaru Impreza 22B STi
When you put your foot down, 300+ HP responds. According to Car and Driver's 1999 review, that number could even be as high as 380 HP. At the time, Japan had a voluntary horsepower limit of 280 HP, so it's a little unclear where the official number stands. Its 2.2-liter engine is a flat-4 on an aluminum block complete with port fuel injection.
There are also performance upgrades that are particular to this model. At the time, the European and Asian bound 22B's iconic hood scoop fed air to an intercooler, cooling the vehicle down during high-temperature activity. In its American counterpart -- the 2.5RS -- the hood scoop is purely for visual effect.
According to Car and Driver's 1999 review, the 22B can go from zero to 100 mph in 13.1 seconds and finish a quarter-mile in 13.5 seconds at 101 mph. Its four-wheel-drive configuration plays a large part in producing those eye-brow-raising numbers. The 22B's Japanese counterparts, like the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution and the Nissan GT-R, are also notorious for their blisteringly quick acceleration.
The 22B STi Provided Elite Handling
What if I told you that a Subaru could handle as well (or better) than a 911 of the same year? Well, that's what the data says. The 22B can make its way around a skidpad with 0.96 g of lateral grip -- while Porsche's 911 model of the same year produces 0.93 g. While those pavement-centric stats only give the Subaru a slight advantage, the 22B's true colors start to show the second it meets the dirt.
"Get yourself on a deserted, winding dirt road, and you can have the sort of fun reserved for guys with Finnish last names," said Larry Webster, former Car and Driver Reporter. "For example, as you're approaching a dirt-covered right-hander, flick the steering wheel to the left. As the car compresses the right-side springs, flick the steering wheel to the right...If all is okay, the car will gracefully and swiftly slide through the turn in a maneuver known as the "Scandinavian flick".
Subaru Impreza 22B STi Met Rally Pedigree
Subaru capped off its three-year reign of dominance over the rallying world with its 1997 WRC Manufacturers' Championship. 22B prototypes driven by Subaru's rally team won the first three races of the season: Monte-Carlo, the International Swedish Rally, and the famed Safari Rally. Despite his incredible three-straight first-place finishes, Subaru's ace Colin McRae was one point off from scoring the individual victory of a Drivers' Championship -- losing to Finnish legend Tommi Mäkinen.
It's no secret that McRae's skills helped Subaru cement its legacy as a rally legend. At the end of the 1998 season, he left Subaru's rally team for an up-and-coming Ford team. The deal that McRae would go on to sign with his new team would make McRae the highest-paid rally driver in history at the time.
However, the very same 22B that McRae drove during the historic 1997 season is still making the rounds in the car world. In September of 2019, Henry Catchpole with EVO was lucky enough to take the iconic golden-rimmed Subaru around for a few laps. Henry and 22B owner Max Girardo discuss how rally aficionados like him are beginning the difficult task of restoring these cars to their original shine. Take a look at the full video here for the interview.
What to do if you want a Subaru Impreza 22B STi?
Well, for starters you need money and a lot of it. An especially rare 22B with an extremely low, near delivery mile count of 270 sold for £295,000 ($416,355) last summer. This beauty had maintained all of its original features and was even still sporting its plastic rear seat protection -- as well as its protective paper stickers still on headlamps.
But if you're not looking to spend nearly half a million dollars for a Subaru, 22Bs with higher milage go for around $115,000 in Japan right now. That might be Nissan GTR money, but the Subaru is definitely cooler.