Prodrive P25: In-Depth First Look | Catchpole on Carfection
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- Опубліковано 16 тра 2024
- The Prodrive P25 might cost a huge amount for what is a Subaru restomod, but Henry Catchpole finds out why it might be worth it.
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While it seems like the values on all enthusiast-minded cars have been going through the roof of late, prices on Subaru Impreza coupes have been particularly wild. I know this because I've been in the market for one, and Prodrive just revealed the details on what might be the greatest GC ever created.
It's the Prodrive P25, a throwback to Prodrive's rally heritage and the ultimate blend of old and new. Prodrive is the company that built the WRC Imprezas for Subaru's competition use, and it's drawing on that expertise to create just 25 models of this all-wheel-drive, 400-horsepower, 443 pound-feet of torque monster.
The P25 has an original Subaru Impreza WRX chassis at its core, from the GC generation that lasted from the mid-'90s until the so-called "Bug Eye" Impreza was introduced in 2000. In the eyes of many Subaru enthusiasts, this is the purest generation of Impreza, the ultimate being the 22B, a limited-edition model that produced 276 hp from a 2.2-liter engine.
The P25 relies on Subaru's more modern 2.5-liter engine, here rebuilt with custom internals and variable cam timing to produce that 400 hp figure. That's mated with a six-speed, automated sequential manual transmission much like those used on WRC cars, capable of automatic upshifting at launches, driving the car to 100 kph (62 mph) from a standing start in just 3.5 seconds. Power goes to all four wheels through an active center differential and limited-slip diffs front and rear. WRC-style anti-lag is here, too.
Front view of the P25, showing off the cropped WRC-style mirrors and the iconic GC face.
The bodywork follows the style of the Subaru 22B, with swollen fenders and a big ol' wing out back, but here those panels are mostly carbon fiber -- lightweight and also extremely hard to damage. That, plus a stripped interior, lightweight racing seats, titanium exhaust and lithium-ion battery means the P25 weighs somewhere less than 1,200 kg, or 2,645 pounds. That's roughly 200 pounds less than the 22B.
The Prodrive P25 will make its official debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed this Thursday. Pricing is set at £460,000 in the UK, or just over $560,000 at current exchange rates. That's a wildly high premium, but I'm guessing the company won't have a problem finding 25 buyers. It looks amazing, but to my eye there's one glaring problem: The wheels aren't gold! Thankfully, that's an easy fix.
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At this day and age, the fact someone is still thinking about a drivers’ car with true rally DNA, letting the engineers rather than the accountants or marketing lead the project.
Hats off. Huge respect.
I hope more manufacturers will follow this ethos.
You could be talking about the GR Yaris.
..even more of a feat, coming from such a huge manufacturer.
@@lefroy1 Never thought in my life I'd get to see a freaking Yaris becomes a driver's car that is rally-related. Props to the madlads at GR and Toyota
@@lefroy1 Agreed. GR Yaris is such a breath of fresh air in this forever weight gaining “performance” car trend!
I welcome this driver focus, engineer led performance variants with a sprinkle of rally, manufacturers big or small.
Going back to to roots where things began, pure and simple, just with added knowledge over the decades.
@@idle404 When you let loose a few passionate engineers/mechanics, you’ll be pleasantly surprised what you’ll get.
@@idle404 Surprisingly (and very cooly), this project was the brainchid of, and pushed through by Akio Toyoda himself, the President of the entire Toyota Corporation, but whose first love is their motorsport division.
Love this thing but I just wish the wheels were an inch smaller and it had some more sidewall.
If you’ve got the 460k to buy the car, I think you can stretch to a set of smaller wheels and sticky tyres.
Oh we can all dream.
You will need to downsize on the front brakes because they are enormous
Couldn‘t agree more! Looks neither classic nor rally-ish, nor race-like. Such a pity. Very cool car otherwise.
What are you lot talking about? If you have £550k to buy this car and want smaller wheels, Prodrive will put any bloody wheels on it that you want
It's a collector's item. I just hope at least 1 out of the 25 would be daily'd or tracked or just driven instead of sitting in a garage somewhere. Cars are meant to be driven, drives are meant to be fun.
What he said.
The only person who has a car like this is a true driver. You're not going to impress your rich friends with this thing. "It's just an old subaru". I'm confident these will be driven well. Not that they'll do massive miles because I'm sure owners have many other cars, but they'll be driven and driven hard.
@@mitchellsteindlerits an investment item. Do you think the people buying track only cars like the vulcan are ever going to do that? No, it being purely "driver focus" like no other road car IS the investment, not the fact that it actually does that. Because other track packaged cars have also become investment items. You will never see this being driven just like any other hyper exclusive car.
@@mitchellsteindler they'll be stored in collections purely for investment, it's already been confirmed a car dealer has bought one and will be auctioning it straight after delivery. I think this car is heavily overpriced at £552,000 from anything but an investment pov
@@kakers6800 ok
I don’t doubt the experience and influence this guy has, but I feel Henry was leading with most of the information and detail about this build. Maybe the guy was tired of all the interviews that day. Either way, fantastic vehicle that is one of those things that is way more than the sum of its parts.
Felt the same!
People needs to stop complaining about the price… it’s not meant for you. It’s for the rich guys who have a Ferrari La Ferrari, p1 and a 918… they are not deciding between this or something else, they are buying both. Y’all need to understand how rich these buyers are. 500k is nothing when there are people woo spend 200k plus on carbon fibre option alone on their supercar or walk around with 100k watch and spend 10k on a dinner. It’s another stratosphere of wealth.
and they'll still never drive it on track or drive it at all
That kind of people are the problem of this world.
They all should be dead and noone should be allowed to be so rich while the rest live on peanuts
Subarus became legendary by being the exact opposite of what those guys liked
Don't think a typical LaF owner would buy this att all.
Would love an in-depth interview with the engineering team. To really go over the details over a standard Impreza and changes to the engine/ suspension etc.
The guys were really happy for us to have a proper long nose round this car in the paddock on Friday - the build quality, paint finish, interior trim finish etc was very well resolved. Really very very nicely done.
It’d be cool to see other people or even actual car companies do something similar where they sorta recreate their iconic cars from the 80s and 90s. Now obviously that’ll be nearly impossible to do now, but would be cool.
This is pretty much the car I really wanted when I got my Impreza Turbo way back in 2008. Still have it, but needs some work to get it going proper again. Hopefully that will happen this year. If I had the money for a P25 and they weren't sold out, I would go for one with the "comfy" options, it's still extreme enough! What a car!
Looks fantastic and that stance on those wheels 🔥
I'd love to see something like this but for an 'Escort RS Cosworth' or a Sierra
i had a rs escort lotus 1970 about round head light = now subaru turbo = better !
I would put this in my top 3 favorite Japanese road cars I’ve ever seen. Incredible
What an amazing car. I'm pleased they have made this version
OK 600k 🤣🤣🤣
The world needs more of such cars
Calling it a restomod is a huge disservice...it"s a Prodrive engineering exercise that happens to occupy a Subaru body. Is it worth the cash...hmmmm...can"t say? It certainly doesn't look like it should cost half a million, but that is a credit to Prodrive for not being suckered into making it look like a transformer.
Pro drive = legends in the game. Not a massive resto-mod fan but a car made by prodrive with all their expertise and heritage in WRC really is something to behold. Stunning.
Always loved these cars, now I’ve got another one. 👍🏻
I just love the fact that it's developed and built by the people who were responsible for the WRC machines back in the 90's. I'd have one of these over a 22b any day, especially if you think about how much money 22b's are already worth.
I love that someone is charging £450,000 for a Subaru and it is ok because you could have bought a Pagani Zonda for £410,000 in 1998.
@@fraserwright9482 £410K in 1998 is over £700K in today's money. I'm not saying I agree with the price of this car but bespoke engineering isn't cheap and this is clearly not built by some random unknown shop and will appreciate more than your average supercar (by average supercar I mean the 911 Turbo's and regular Ferrari's of the world not Koenigsegg's or other boutique brands).
Would have been nice for Henry to be able to finish any of his questions without being interrupted.
I was thinking the same. I get he's passionate. But he's very rude to do that.
A reimagining of the 22B? I would have thought it was a reimaginging of the P1.
About £600,000 with a couple of options. You would have to really, REALLY love your Subarus. That makes a Singer for around the same money look like decent value.
Good luck finding a Singer for that sort of money....
@@michaelsummerell8618 If you don't tick all the engine upgrade boxes and don't mind a long wait, they start at less than 600k. It's only fully optioned cars, DLSsand the new Safari thing that cost a lot more.
This thing could hang with a Singer, and its god motorsports engineering pedigree in spades.
@@jsquared1013 For sure. It doesn't float my boat, but that doesn't mean I don't think it's a serious bit of kit. Friend of mine managed to get a new 22B back in the day and I had a chance to have a go...it left me very impressed. But the same friend knew Dave Richards a little and the guy certainly knew how to add a margin to things. The P25 just seems a bit punchy when it's not exactly all I'd expect for the money.
Well, they're all sold out so wasn't an issue finding those rich enthusiasts 👌
Great to see Prodrive producing a great iconic car into today’s environment.
Brings back memories working in the engine department.
Surprised they have gone Ej25 route but sure it’s had the once over as Lapy stated.
Must say price tag bit steep really end of day it’s a Subaru Impreza.
Would of thought Prodrive would of done an Isle Of Man special edition.
Always loved those wheel arches 😁
Henry has got to drive this!!
Absolutely love this thing!! 💙💙💙
Well done Prodrive!
A sleeper B22, Absolutely Astonishing brilliantly Done
Absolutely awesome, still the best looking Scooby ever made, much better than what's being made now .. unfortunately 🤔
Subaru robin looks better
One of the best cars I ever owned was just a basic UK 2000 1st edition Impreza awesome bit of kit.
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
This appeals more than the 22B, my old wide arch 97 impreza with the 2.5 engine conversion is the only car i ever missed, to this day i keep looking at classified adds and thinking about getting another.
Looks fantastic, hope it goes like it looks 👌
Of course it will! It's a f*cking Prodrive!
Brilliant 💯💯
I miss my 1995 STI RA. This looks fantastic!
These restro mods have me excited about old cars again. Just giving the old dog some new toys to keep it going into the future. Exciting.
Beautiful...still my favorite Subi
I NEED THIS IN MY LIFE!
So no option for a manual? For a half mil or million NA I would like that option.
So nice to see Lapworth is still involved with Prodrive and Subarus.
Well I get it and if I had half a mil spare I wouldn't bat an eyelid at getting one! Awesome thing can't wait to see one in the flesh...
Love it 😍
Awesome looking mahine, and i have no doubt that it'll drive even better than it looks!!. the only thing i dont really like is the size of the wheels but i think id get over that if i ever got the chance to own one!! lol. what an incredible motor!, bravo prodrive!
Great to see the old scooby come alive again, with some modern bits on.
This is epic!
This is so refreshing! If i Had the Money i would buy this in a Heartbeat! I Like this much more than any Supercar! This is the Super Driverscar!!!
Really nice stuff. Those wheels need to be gold though.
Loved that Peter Stevens is involved with the project. Personally if i was Gordon Murray, I would have invited him to for the styling of the P50.
Seems like it’s made for the absolute most fun possible
Love it just wish i could drive it nice to see a moden 22b
Love that the ethos seems to be "we'll build a car thats fun to be a hooligan in"
Way to much for one of my beloved Subi's but well done and looks amazing
Never been a fan of the Impreza but that is a stunning looking car.
Great journalist interviewing great engineer. How good is this!
This is my idea of perfection!!!!👍😎👍😎👍😎
My spec: as naked as a 964RS N/GT. Absolutely perfect and all that you need
Damn that looks good
It would look lovely in white.
1:08 Have we gone back in time or something? Looks like a young Jeremy Clarkson there in the blue shirt.
I want one..... and a 22b, of course!
What a cool car!👍
best looking subaru ever deserve more than 25
I had a P1 which I took on track days. It was light even for then. It could chase 355 Ferrari no problem. It wouldn’t touch a modern one though.
If you had a evo the ferrari would try to chase you....
I want one
‘.....a two door and pretzel......’ you can’t beat subtitles 😂😂😂
I want one!
Just awesome, loved subaru, had a blob eye wrx for 7 an a half years, best car I ever had, would love this....... If it was for sale and I won the lottery a bit lol.
I’ve watched like 5 videos on this car… so is at an actual 22B or regular Subaru?
Thought that the UK only got 16, 22B Subaru's, so where did the rest from?
Whatever became of the Prodrive P2?
Hello from Canada,
What about a Henry Catchpole series about the best Japanese cars ever made from their debut until today. Always, Lambos, BMW's and Porsches... what about the Japanese. Of course besides the McRae WRX (You have told us a lot about it already...!!!) Anyway... !!! Just an Idea. I think it would be great. Cheers from Canada.
@Subaru motors Uk thanks a lot for the great work finally I can now rest😂
Had a 99MY JDM Type R STI limited (the coupe), I sold it when they were worthless and I always look back at that as a monumental mistake. These cars are amazing!
I had a USDM 2001 Impreza 2.5 RS Coupe and I share your pain.
Yep. Had a sonic blue Type R V limited and let it go for peanuts a few years back.
I can recommend getting an early Mitsu Evo (1-3) they havent really gone up so much, and they give an even smaller toughter feel from the inside. And the drivetrain and engine can actually handle a bit more power.
Still have my 2000MY Type R, in grey. I can only imagine your pain. They are so much more fun than a regular STI, unless you have had one you don’t realise how good they were!
Oh so very cool
Epic
We need more of these kinds of "resto-mods" to bring back iconic/classic cars as new cars.
And the more there are of them, the more the cost can be subsidized and lowered.
Honestly, if manufacturers were to drop their R&D for "modern/hybrid" sports cars, scrap it, save the money, and divert funds to resto-mod iconic models for less, it would be better.
The regular cars will be for regular people and enthusiasts can get EXACTLY what they want and love.
At the moment the rims look oversized and tire profile too small.
I would want to occasionally go on gravel roads also with this thing.
👌 awesome 😎
Can someone explain the single paddle? How does it work?
Pull towards for upshift, push away for downshift. It is very much a rally specific thing.
They Speedline Turinis ???
I know it wouldn't be period correct but I wish they put nice modern LED lights all round into similar to what Guntherworks does.
Almost perfect, just needs to be on 16's or 17's for a meaty fitment then it'll be perfect.
But then you will be sacrificing those huge AP racing brakes.
And the fitment is already perfect
Bloody hard to clear large brakes at that size of rim....!
Those are WRC spec brakes which are 15 inch diameter and need 18s to clear
@@lutherblissett9070 the brakes on this car (pre-development prototype?) are _clearly_ not the small-diameter WRC-spec gravel brakes. The calipers and rotors barely fit under the 19s as-is. (Although I personally would prefer an 18" wheel on this car, the 19s are too big aesthetically and the sidewalls too short.)
@@jsquared1013 Where did I say they were gravel brakes? I said they are 15 inch diameter and need 18 inch wheels to clear. That means they are WRC tarmac spec brakes, the discs at least. If the calipers are water cooled 8 piston items then they are also WRC tarmac spec.
I wish I had the money and the talent to get one. Thus, I will enjoy one of Henry's driving reviews. Excellent. By the way, who makes the suspension?
AUtoMaTiC?!?!?!!
Seriously, though, this thing's a dream. It's especially cool to see a product of this level built on a platform more relatable than an old 911, E-Type, etc. I'm just not quite sure I see the price justified, considering something like a Ferrari F8 can be had for about half that.
Not many people are cross-shopping this with a modern Ferrari... especially as the type of guy who will buy this likely already has a Ferrari in his garage if it floats his boat, or loads of other things if he's not a Ferrari type.
@@jsquared1013 That wasn't the point.
The mullet at 1.08.
Retro car, retro hair !!
Not a fan of the 19" wheels. They look absolutely massive. GC/GM looks the best with 17" imo
A lot of $$$$$ for a beautiful car and those wheels are gorgeous
If my numbers came up in the euro lottery I’d have one of these and a Singer DSV. All the drivers cars you’d need
I'm on board, but the wheels should have been more like the original 22b wheels, but bigger, and shod with AR1's or such. It would make all the difference.
I want a Fiat Mephistopheles restomod, a sensible chain drive aero with a good sound system.
This would be great if you had a time machine in the late '90s if you missed out on a "22b", fast forward to the year 2022 and now you get a "P25".
Time to bring an EVO 6 TME Restomod! 😍😍😍😍
Working in it 😉...Watch this space
The Best Rally Car ever :)
Can anyone identify Henry's watch here? He usually wears a Bremont or Omega I believe but this looks similar to a CWC.
Would be great if it has a stick sequential rather than a paddle shift
He doesn’t let you ask a question fully haha
Do all restomods have to cost this kind of money? Or is it just because its easier to sell highly custom/limited cars?
I can imagine a Porsche 928 with restored chassi, new body panels (no carbon), new suspension, rebuild engine and retrimed interior (nothing too fancy) for 100k + donor car. Is my estimate too off? Or any other car, that will still look the same, but all parts will be like new, without using carbon and gold plated interior trim.
Makes me happy I kept my 98 type r impreza, not as good looking as this one but close enough for me..Colin Mcrae had a lot to answer for 20 years ago.
the fyeahspec 22b
I would be interested to know more details about where the price tag is coming from. To me it just seems like complete pie in the sky creation and lets see if can get rich people to buy them by hyping it.
If you have the money, why not?! People have always tried to imagine F1 or other race cars for the road, why not a WRC car? It will be an incredible thing I'm sure.
Wonder if the Prodrive guys found 25 22B body-in-whites covered in dust in an old warehouse and was thinking how best to get rid of them - 💡 let’s kit them out with proper WRC gadgetry and sell them for half a million a pop!!
You know it 😜
I imagine they started with JDM STi type R imports.