Subaru Impreza WRX STI 22B
The Subaru Impreza 22B STI is the most legendary and valuable car in Subaru's history. Created in 1998 to celebrate Subaru's third consecutive World Rally Championship Manufacturers' title and the 40th anniversary of Subaru, the 22B was a road-going homage to the WRC-winning Impreza.
The EJ22 engine was a bored-and-stroked version of the standard EJ20, displacing 2,212cc. While officially rated at 280 PS (the Japanese gentleman's agreement ceiling), the 22B's engine was widely acknowledged to produce significantly more — some independent tests recorded over 310 PS. The IHI turbocharger was matched to the larger displacement, providing improved torque across the entire rev range.
The body was the 22B's most dramatic feature. Wide fender flares — 80mm wider at the front and rear — gave the coupe an aggressive, muscular stance that was inspired directly by the WRC car. The widebody panels were stamped from steel (not bolt-on fiberglass) and were integrated into the body structure. A large rear wing, deep front air dam, and specific bumpers completed the WRC-inspired aesthetic.
The suspension was comprehensively upgraded with inverted Bilstein dampers, stiffer springs, and revised anti-roll bars. The wider track allowed broader tires — 235/40R17 all round on gold BBS wheels. Brembo four-piston front calipers and two-piston rears provided stopping power appropriate for the car's performance.
The symmetrical AWD system used a driver-controlled center differential (DCCD), with limited-slip differentials front and rear. The six-speed close-ratio manual gearbox — rather than the standard five-speed — provided shorter throws and better-spaced ratios for enthusiastic driving.
Only 400 units of the 22B were produced for the Japanese domestic market, with an additional 24 for Australia and the UK. All 400 Japanese-market cars sold out within 30 minutes of going on sale. The original price was 5 million yen — a substantial sum in 1998.
Today, the 22B is one of the most valuable Japanese performance cars ever produced. Prices have exceeded $400,000 at auction, rivaling far more exotic machinery. It represents the absolute pinnacle of the GC8 Impreza platform and the most tangible connection between Subaru's road cars and its WRC champions.
Provenance is paramount — every 22B is individually numbered. Verify through Subaru's records and the 22B registry. Engine condition critical — the EJ22 is hand-built and expensive to rebuild correctly. Widebody panels must be original stamped steel. Original BBS wheels, Bilstein dampers, and Brembo calipers should all be present. Service history from STI-authorized dealers is essential. Even minor modifications dramatically reduce value.
Produced by Subaru Tecnica International at Subaru's factory in 1998. Only 400 units were built for the Japanese domestic market, plus 16 for Australia and 8 for the UK (424 total). All 400 JDM cars sold out within 30 minutes of going on sale.