SUBARU WRX STi 22B

Model Subaru Impreza WRX 22B-STi Version

Engine 2212cc flat-4, dohc, turbo, 16v

Max power 206kW @ 6000rpm

Max torque 360Nm @ 3200rpm

Transmission 5-speed manual

Weight 1270kg

0-100km/h 4.7sec (claimed)

Economy 13.6L/100km

Price $125,000 (1998)

THE SUBARU IMPREZA peaked early. The nameplate enjoys a 28-year heritage, but reached its zenith a mere six years into its life cycle with the iconic WRX STi 22B. Subaru has built quicker models since but none has ever been so perfectly redolent of a moment as this slice of box-arch exotica. A celebration of the company’s third rally world championship in a row, the 22B was, by any conventional product planning logic, a bit of a self-indulgence, with a production run that extended to a mere 400 official cars. There was a longstanding myth that there was no unlucky #13, but that car is owned by Subaru America.

All 22Bs were built between March and April 1998. When Subaru opened the taps on orders, they didn’t stay open