Subaru Impreza WRX STI 22B
The 22B STI was the crowning achievement of Subaru's first-generation Impreza program. Created to celebrate three consecutive World Rally Championship manufacturers' titles, it distilled the essence of Subaru's rally success into 424 road-legal examples that have since become the most sought-after Japanese performance cars of their era.
Beneath the widebody fenders sat the EJ22 engine — a bespoke 2,212cc version of the EJ20 created specifically for the 22B. The larger displacement provided more low-end torque and a broader powerband compared to the standard 2.0-liter STI. The official output was 280 PS — the familiar gentlemen's agreement number — but independent dynamometer tests consistently showed 310+ PS at the flywheel.
The widebody treatment was the 22B's most obvious departure from the standard GC8 Impreza. Both front and rear tracks were widened by 80mm, housed under flared fenders that were stamped from steel and welded to the body — not bolt-on aftermarket additions. The result was a stance that echoed the WRC competition car, with an aggression and purpose that no standard Impreza could match.
The drivetrain used Subaru's symmetrical all-wheel-drive system with a DCCD center differential, front and rear limited-slip differentials, and a close-ratio six-speed manual gearbox unique to the 22B. The combination provided extraordinary traction and adjustability, allowing the driver to balance the car's handling from understeer to oversteer depending on the DCCD setting and throttle application.
Inverted Bilstein monotube dampers, Brembo brakes, and 235/40R17 tires on gold BBS forged wheels completed the dynamic package. The 22B was 10mm lower than the standard STI, and the revised spring and damper rates provided a firm but controlled ride.
The 22B's cultural significance extends beyond its mechanical attributes. It represents the peak of the Japanese performance car era of the 1990s — a time when small manufacturers like Subaru could compete with and beat the world's best in international motorsport, and when that racing success was directly translated into extraordinary road cars.
Verify the individual production number against Subaru/STI records. The EJ22 engine should be matching numbers and uninternally modified. Widebody panels must be original pressed steel — check for fiberglass replicas. All 424 cars should have BBS wheels, Bilstein dampers, Brembo calipers, and the unique six-speed gearbox. Any modification from factory specification significantly reduces value. Complete documentation and Japanese export records essential.
Hand-assembled at Subaru Tecnica International's facility in 1998. Total production: 400 units for JDM, 16 for Australia, 8 for UK (424 total). Each car was individually numbered. The EJ22 engine was hand-assembled.