Limited to just 25 units, 20 photos proving why the bespoke Prodrive P25 is JDM royalty
Arvind · Mar 23, 2023 01:02 PM
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Whilst restomods creations are nothing new, the Prodrive P25 is one that is built by the original makers of the legend itself, but made better in every way.
Now feast your eyes on this rare beast now displayed in all its glory at the ongoing Bangkok International Motor Show (BIMS) 2023.
Limited to just 25 units, the Prodrive P25 is built as a homage to the original Subaru Impreza 22B STI which, in itself was a bespoke homologation model made to dominate the World Rally Championship (WRC).
25 years later using the latest technology and materials, Prodrive now reimagines each of the 25 examples with an original 2-door Impreza WRX chassis at its core - the very same chassis used in the first Impreza WRC.
The P25 uses Subaru's latest 2.5-litre flat-four ‘Boxer’ engine producing over 405 PS and 600 Nm of torque. The original WRC 1997 developed just 304 PS and 470 Nm.
However, it's been completely reengineered with new cylinder liners, pistons, con rods, and a valve train with variable cam timing (VVT).
Mated to a 6-speed semi-automatic gearbox with WRC-derived launch control and anti-lag, the P25 will complete the 0-100 km/h sprint in under 3.5 seconds.
Prodrive rebuilt the boot, bonnet, roof, sills, door mirrors, front and rear quarters out of lightweight materials to cut weight.
The WRC-style rear wing and bumpers are from carbon composite.
Inside there are lightweight race seats with carbon door cards and a lithium-ion battery. All in, the P25 weighs less than 1200 kg.
Power is delivered to all four wheels via a drivetrain which features an adjustable active centre differential and limited-slip differentials front and rear.
The Impreza's McPherson strut suspension has been retained, but have been retuned with Bilstein adjustable dampers.
The P25's suspension geometry has been optimised for tarmac handling.
Stopping power is provided by AP Racing brakes with 380mm vented discs and six-piston callipers at the front and 350mm vented discs and four-piston callipers at the rear.
The P25 features Prodrive 19-inch rims shod with Bridgestone Potenza Sport 235/35 R19 tyres which are matched to the dampers.
The P25 features a full-width MID display inclusive of a data logger.
Prodrive sought to keep the late-90s interior period correct but upgraded it using a combination of leather, Alcantara and carbon trim.
The driver can select from various throttle response and engine performance maps, including anti-lag adjustment using a central control knob.
There is also a WRC-style ‘fly-off’ hydraulic handbrake, which releases the centre differential, allowing the rear wheels to be locked by the driver.
The P25 can be 'optioned' with a full interior for four, but this unit has been equipped with the rear-seat delete, 6-point harness and partial safety cage.
Despite its original price of GBP 460,000 (RM 2.51 million) in the UK before tax, all 25 units of the P25 have been spoken for, with units coming up for resale at even higher prices.
One recently listed in the UK for GBP 775,000 (RM 4.23 million), however, if you don't have that kind of money laying around, for under RM 300k, why not check out the 2023 Subaru WRX?
Arvind can't remember a time when he didn't wheel around a HotWheels car. This love evolved into an interest in Tamiya and RC cars and finally the real deal 1:1 scale stuff. Passion finally lead to formal training in Mechanical Engineering. Instead of the bigger picture, he obsesses with the final drive ratio and spring rates of cars and spends the weekends wondering why a Perodua Myvi is so fast.