Subaru’s remarkable journey in the world of rallying, beginning in the early 1980s, catapulted this Japanese automaker onto the global stage, far exceeding its modest size in the automotive industry. While their initial forays, like the 1980 Safari Rally with the Leone, were not victorious, Subaru’s unwavering commitment to rally racing persisted. The pivotal moment arrived in 1990 with the strategic alliance with Prodrive, a British motorsport engineering group. This partnership marked Subaru’s serious entry into full international rally seasons. Despite the robust power of the Legacy 4WD’s turbocharged engine and the esteemed Finnish driver Markku Alen joining the Prodrive team, coveted international victories remained elusive. However, the consecutive RAC Open Championship wins by Scottish driver Colin McRae in 1991 and 1992 foreshadowed the triumphs to come.
The introduction of the Impreza Turbo in 1993 proved transformative. Subaru achieved its long-awaited breakthrough in August of that year when Colin McRae, co-driven by Derek Ringer, clinched victory at the New Zealand Rally – Subaru’s first major international rally win. The subsequent 1994 season saw three more World Rally Championship (WRC) victories, two for McRae and one for Carlos Sainz. Finally, in 1995, Subaru realized its ambition of winning the World Championship. In a fiercely competitive season, Subaru teammates McRae and Sainz dominated, winning five of the eight rounds. McRae’s consistent performance ultimately secured him the Drivers’ Championship. Subaru also captured the Manufacturers’ title, a feat they repeated in 1996 and 1997, solidifying their dominance in the WRC. Further Drivers’ World Championships followed in 2001 with Richard Burns and in 2003 with Petter Solberg.
The Subaru Impreza STI featured here, meticulously crafted to mirror the 1997 works team specifications, represents the genesis of the 1998 production World Rally Car, famously known as the Type 22b. This prototype, designated 22B, was publicly unveiled at the prestigious 1997 Tokyo Motor Show, preceding the production model’s launch in March 1998. Despite a premium price tag of 5 million yen, the limited run of 400 production cars sold out within a mere two days, highlighting the immense desirability of the 22B. This exclusive model was conceived to celebrate Subaru’s 40th anniversary and their unprecedented third consecutive Manufacturers’ title in the World Rally Championship. It was meticulously engineered with numerous upgraded components from the ground up.
In its 1998 production form, the Impreza 22B boasted a potent 2.2-liter turbocharged flat-four engine, officially rated at 280PS (276bhp). This figure was often considered a conservative rating to comply with Japanese government regulations. This substantial power was channeled through a robust ceramic/metal clutch to the advanced four-wheel-drive transmission, significantly reinforced for the 22B model to withstand the rigors of performance driving and rallying. Drawing directly from the extensive experience of the works rally team, the 22B’s running gear incorporated high-performance Eibach suspension springs, Bilstein dampers, powerful 4-pot brake calipers, and lightweight BBS forged alloy wheels. The striking aerodynamic bodywork, characterized by its widened wheel arches, aggressive front air dam, and distinctive boot-mounted spoiler, was designed by the renowned British vehicle designer Peter Stevens, who was then a consultant for Prodrive and other prominent automotive firms.
Subaru’s personal show car, the 22B prototype, made its debut at the 32nd annual Tokyo Auto Show in 1997, generating significant buzz and anticipation. These exceptionally rare pre-production Subaru 22B Prototypes, limited to just five examples, were exclusively gifted to Subaru and key team personnel, including race drivers like Nicky Grist and the legendary Colin McRae. As promised, the very first of these prototypes (chassis number 061819) was presented to David Lapworth of Prodrive in 1997, the chief engineer instrumental in developing the championship-winning widebody rally car. This particular vehicle, chassis 061819, holds the distinction of being the sole pre-production chassis constructed in 1997. It was Subaru’s inaugural road-legal, wide-bodied, turbocharged replica of their dominant World Rally-winning race car, intended for public appreciation. Its ownership lineage includes Subaru of Japan, Prodrive in England, and a dedicated 20-year period under a private collector in Japan, before its acquisition by the current seller.
Remarkably, this Subaru 22B prototype has accumulated only 000070 actual kilometers (approximately 43.5 miles) at the time of its cataloging. This astonishingly low mileage further elevates the rarity and desirability of this already exceptional vehicle, making it potentially the lowest mileage example of its kind in existence. This 22B has been meticulously preserved in ‘as new’ condition by all its custodians, so much so that it still retains its original Pirelli tires, a testament to its originality and care. Chassis 061819 established the benchmark for the 22B’s iconic aesthetics, featuring the signature Sonic Blue Mica exterior finish complemented by a striking black and blue interior – the sole color combination offered for all production 22B models. This prototype 22B represents not just a car, but a pivotal piece of Subaru’s rally heritage and automotive history, embodying the spirit of performance, exclusivity, and winning pedigree.
Specifications
Engine: 2,212cc Turbocharged Flat 4-Cylinder Engine with Electronic Fuel Injection
Horsepower: 276 hp @ 6000 RPM
Transmission: Six-Speed Manual
Weight: 2711 lbs
Wheel Specs: Pavement 8″x18″, Gravel 7″x15″, Snow 5.5″x16″
