Ultra-Special Subaru Impreza STI 22B Fetches $827,000 at Auction
Two years ago, a 1998 Subaru Impreza STI 22B was sold for an incredible $312,555 USD. But get this: another one recently traded hands for nearly double that price.
Sold by Iconic Auctioneers at its sale at the Silverstone Circuit in the U.K., the car you see here found a new owner for a mind-blowing 480,500 British pounds sterling—the equivalent of approximately $611,000 USD or $827,000 CAD at the current exchange rates.
- Also: This Subaru Impreza 22B STi For Sale Costs Half a Million
- Also: Prodrive 25 Recreates the Most Iconic Subaru Impreza Ever
It’s not just any Impreza STI 22B, mind you. This one is in immaculate condition and used to belong to legendary rally driver Colin McRae.
As you probably know, the late McRae helped Subaru secure the first of three consecutive WRC titles during the 1990s (1995-1997). The Japanese automaker launched the STI 22B in 1998 to celebrate its historic three-peat.
Only 400 units were built for the domestic market and another 24 for the rest of the world. McRae’s car was actually one of three original prototypes, hence the "000/400" on the numbered plaque inside the cabin. Cool trivia: the other two prototypes originally went to Nicky Grist, McRae's long-time co-driver, and David Lapworth from Prodrive, the same company that worked with Subaru to build its WRC cars and last year unveiled a modern interpretation of the Impreza STI 22B called P25.
The turbocharged 2.2-litre four-cylinder boxer engine under the hood was officially rated at 276 horsepower, a limit agreed to by Japan's automakers at the time, but its actual output most definitely exceeds 300 horsepower.
Still sporting its signature 17-inch BBS wheels in a gold finish, McRae’s Impreza STI 22B had less than 12,000 km on the odometer at the time of the sale. By the way, Iconic Autioneers said it was the first time ever the car came up for public sale. Don’t miss the photo gallery at the top of the page for a closer look.
As for the 25 copies of the Prodrive P25, they start at $460,000 British pounds sterling, which means roughly $792,000 CAD. Sounds like a bargain in comparison.