UK-based Prodrive is giving us what Subaru
isn’t
: a brand-new WRX STI. In their case, however, it’s not based off the
current “VB”
. Instead, they’ve gone back 25 years to a time when Subaru rolled out the WRC-inspired Impreza 22B.
Using the latest technology and materials, Prodrive is reimagining what this car would have been today, and this is the result: the Prodrive P25. Just 25 cars will be produced, each with an original two-door Impreza WRX chassis at its core.
Extensive use of carbon composite means the car weighs less than 1,200 kg. The use of the latest 2.5 liter flat four ‘boxer’ engine producing over 400 horsepower and 600 Nm of torque, combined with a six speed semi-automatic gearbox, WRC-derived launch control and turbo anti-lag, means the P25 will reach 100 km/h from rest in under 3.5 seconds.
Weight has been removed from the chassis by manufacturing the trunk lid, hood, roof, sills, door mirrors, front and rear quarters, WRC style rear wing, and bumpers from carbon composite, while inside there are optional lightweight race seats with carbon door cards and a lithium-ion battery.
The engine gets new cylinder liners, pistons, con rods, and a valve train with variable cam timing. There is a Garrett motorsport turbo with a high-performance intercooler and airbox and an Akrapovic titanium and stainless-steel racing exhaust system.
The engine is mated to a six-speed sequential gearbox with helical cut gears and semi-automatic shift via a paddle on the steering column, giving precise gear changes in 80 milliseconds. The car has a WRC-style launch control system, which combines the fly-by-wire throttle and clutch in the floor mounted pedal box to automatically take the car through first, second and third gear to achieve the optimal acceleration from standstill without any driver intervention.
Power is delivered to all four wheels via an adjustable active center differential and limited-slip differentials front and rear. McPherson strut suspension has been retained, but with machined aluminum uprights which can be tuned for camber and geometry optimized for the wider 1770-mm track. The Bilstein dampers are adjustable for compression and rebound while the springs and anti-roll bars optimize the tarmac handling.
Stopping power is provided by AP Racing brakes with 380-mm vented discs and six piston calipers at the front and 350-mm vented discs and four piston calipers at the rear with floating bells and multiple pad options. Prodrive 8.5 x 19 rims are fitted with Bridgestone Potenza 235/35/19 tires which are matched to the dampers.
The driver dashboard is a full width high-definition multi-page display including a data logger. For those wishing to take the car on track the driver can select from various throttle response and engine performance maps, including anti-lag adjustment. There is also a WRC style ‘fly-off’ hydraulic handbrake, which automatically disengages the center differential to remove drive to the rear wheels. This is in addition to the standard electric parking brake.
The interior has also been upgraded, but recreates an authentic 1990s Impreza atmosphere using a combination of leather, Alcantara, and carbon trim.
The P25 can carry four passengers, but there is also the option to remove the rear seats and have a partial safety cage fitted.
The first development car will make several runs up the hill at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, before embarking on an extensive test and development program. Again, only 25 production cars will be built at Prodrive’s Banbury UK headquarters. It’s priced at £460,000 (P 30.58 million).
Keyword: The Prodrive P25 Is A 600-Horsepower, Carbon Fiber Bodied Subaru Impreza