Prodrive P25 Subaru Impreza Full Track Review: A £550,000 Masterclass in Motorsport Engineering
The Prodrive P25 is a limited-run, rally-derived performance car created to celebrate 25 years since Prodrive led Subaru’s World Rally Championship campaign. Limited to just 25 examples worldwide and priced at approximately £550,000, the P25 is far more than a nostalgic tribute. It is a ground-up modern reinterpretation of the 1997 two-door Impreza World Rally Car, engineered with contemporary materials, tighter tolerances and uncompromising performance intent.
Weighing under 1,200 kg and producing 450 bhp from a comprehensively re-engineered 2.5-litre turbocharged flat-four, the P25 accelerates from 0,60 mph in under three seconds. Tested at Knockhill Circuit alongside the legendary Subaru 22B, this review is based on first-hand track driving impressions from Vicki Butler-Henderson and three-time British Touring Car Champion Gordon Shedden.
Vicki Butler-Henderson is a professional racing driver and established automotive presenter with extensive experience testing and evaluating high-performance vehicles. Her motorsport background provides the technical understanding required to accurately assess rally-derived machinery in both road and track conditions.
Gordon Shedden is a three-time British Touring Car Champion and Development Manager at Knockhill Circuit in Scotland. His racing pedigree and intimate knowledge of the circuit used for testing provide expert insight into the P25’s dynamic balance, braking stability and chassis composure under load.
What is the Prodrive P25?
The Prodrive P25 represents a modern continuation of Subaru’s WRC legacy, developed by the same British motorsport organisation that ran Subaru’s dominant rally programme throughout the 1990s and early 2000s. Only 25 cars were built, immediately placing it among the rarest contemporary performance machines available.
Unlike a traditional restoration or restomod, the P25 is effectively a newly engineered vehicle. Carbon composite body panels replace steel, suspension geometry has been reworked, and the powertrain has been redesigned to deliver modern supercar-level performance. The visual silhouette may echo the original Impreza WRC, but beneath the surface it is a far more advanced machine.
Key specifications:
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Price | Approximately £550,000 |
| Production | 25 units worldwide |
| Body style | Two door rally inspired coupe |
| Engine | 2.5 litre turbocharged flat four |
| Transmission | 6 speed X Shift sequential gearbox |
| Construction | Extensive carbon composite panels |
| Suspension | Bilstein dampers |
| Brakes | AP Racing braking system |
What is the historical context of the Prodrive P25?
The P25 draws direct inspiration from Subaru and Prodrive’s golden era in the World Rally Championship. During the mid-1990s, Subaru secured consecutive manufacturers’ titles and drivers’ championships with icons such as Colin McRae, Richard Burns and Petter Solberg. The 1997 Impreza WRC became synonymous with sideways aggression, turbocharged theatrics and unmistakable blue-and-gold livery.
The 1998 Subaru 22B was introduced as a road-going celebration of that success. Limited in number and revered ever since, the 22B became a symbol of homologation-era purity. The P25 takes that philosophy significantly further. Rather than simply revisiting the past, Prodrive reunited key members of the original engineering and design team to reinterpret the formula using modern construction techniques and performance expectations.
Even small details reinforce the exclusivity. Production was capped at 25 units, and Prodrive famously skipped number 13 entirely. Each engine carries a plaque identifying its builder, echoing the craftsmanship of the original rally programme.
Prodrive P25 vs Subaru 22B Comparison
| Category | Prodrive P25 | Subaru 22B |
|---|---|---|
| Production | 25 units | 424 units |
| Power | 450 bhp | 300 bhp |
| 0 to 62 mph | Under 3 seconds | Approx. 4.7 seconds |
| Price when new | Approx. £550,000 | Approx. £39,950 in 1998 |
| Philosophy | Modern reinterpretation of WRC icon | Homologation celebration model |
Wheels & Tyres
The Prodrive P25 runs on 19 inch Prodrive designed alloy wheels measuring 8.5 x 19 inches, fitted with Bridgestone Potenza Sport tyres in a 235/35/19 specification.
The Potenza Sport has achieved an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from drivers on DriverReviews. During testing at Knockhill, the tyres delivered strong grip and stability, supporting the P25’s sharp chassis balance without masking its raw character.
How does the Prodrive P25 perform?
At the heart of the P25 sits a fully re-engineered 2.5-litre turbocharged boxer engine, hand-built by Prodrive’s powertrain team. Producing 450 bhp and 600 Nm of torque, it delivers relentless acceleration with minimal delay thanks to a motorsport-grade anti-lag system. Unlike modern turbocharged road cars tuned for refinement, the P25 prioritises immediacy and theatre.
The anti-lag system keeps the turbocharger primed between shifts, maintaining boost pressure and eliminating hesitation. Combined with the car’s low kerb weight, this results in acceleration that feels violent yet controlled. In outright pace, it operates firmly in modern supercar territory.
Performance specifications:
| Performance | Figure |
|---|---|
| Power | 450 bhp |
| Torque | 600 Nm |
| 0 to 62 mph | Under 3 seconds |
| Weight | Under 1,200 kg |
Power is delivered through a six-speed X-Shift sequential gearbox capable of lightning-fast shifts. Rather than smoothing over the experience, it reinforces the mechanical nature of the car, delivering audible and physical engagement with every change.
How does the Prodrive P25 drive?
On track at Knockhill, the P25 feels unapologetically raw. Steering is direct and communicative, feeding surface texture and weight transfer back through the wheel. There is no sense of artificial filtering. Instead, it rewards commitment and precision.
Braking is handled by AP Racing hardware with 380 mm front discs and 350 mm rear discs. Without traditional servo assistance, pedal effort is firm and deliberate. The sensation is purposeful rather than plush, reinforcing its motorsport lineage.
Three drive modes, Road, Sport and Sport Plus, alter power delivery and differential behaviour. Road mode limits output to 350 bhp for greater manageability, while Sport Plus activates anti-lag for maximum response. Launch control, derived from rally systems, coordinates throttle and clutch engagement for explosive standing starts.
What are the Prodrive P25’s design features?
Visually, the P25 remains faithful to the 1997 Impreza WRC. However, beneath the familiar lines lies a structure extensively reworked with carbon composite panels replacing traditional steel components.
The bonnet, boot lid, roof, sills and aerodynamic elements are all constructed from lightweight composite materials, contributing significantly to the sub-1,200 kg kerb weight. The result is a car that retains classic proportions while benefiting from modern rigidity and reduced mass.
What is the Prodrive P25 interior like?
Inside, the P25 balances heritage with modern functionality. Alcantara, exposed carbon fibre and metal surfaces replace dated plastics, creating a purposeful cabin environment that feels authentically motorsport-inspired rather than retro.
A configurable digital display integrates data logging functions, while a single shift paddle controls the sequential gearbox. A hydraulic fly-off handbrake reinforces its rally DNA, allowing controlled rotation under specific conditions.
Despite its focus, the P25 includes smartphone connectivity and optional rear seating or safety cage configurations depending on buyer preference.>
Where was the Prodrive P25 tested?
Testing took place at Knockhill Circuit in Scotland. The 2.1 km track features 61 metres of elevation change and a technical layout ideally suited to evaluating chassis balance, braking stability and power delivery under sustained load.
Final thoughts
With only 25 examples produced and a £550,000 price tag, the Prodrive P25 sits firmly in the realm of exclusive collector machinery. Yet on track, it feels far more than a static investment piece.
It successfully channels the spirit of the 1997 Impreza World Rally Car into a modern performance machine that delivers raw engagement, mechanical intensity and genuine motorsport authenticity. For those seeking the closest possible experience to a WRC car on the road, the P25 stands as a compelling and unapologetic statement.
Prodrive P25 FAQ
How much does the Prodrive P25 cost?
The Prodrive P25 was priced at approximately £550,000 when new, reflecting its limited production, extensive carbon composite construction and motorsport engineering.
How many Prodrive P25 were built?
Production was strictly limited to 25 units worldwide, with Prodrive notably skipping car number 13.
How fast is the Prodrive P25?
The P25 accelerates from 0 to 62 mph in under three seconds, making it significantly quicker than the original Subaru 22B.
Is the Prodrive P25 based on the Subaru 22B?
No. The P25 is not a modified 22B. It is a modern reinterpretation of the 1997 Impreza World Rally Car, the same rally car that inspired the 22B. It uses entirely new engineering, drivetrain technology and construction.
What engine does the Prodrive P25 use?
It features a Prodrive built 2.5 litre turbocharged flat four engine producing 450 bhp and 600 Nm of torque, paired with a sequential gearbox and anti lag system.
Is the Prodrive P25 road legal?
Yes. The P25 is fully road legal, although it is heavily track focused in its setup and driving character.
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Source: DriverReviews