Tag Archives: Subaru

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Subaru Impreza S-Edition: Rally DNA, or Just Fancy Shoes?

Ah, the Subaru Impreza. Once upon a time, it was the four-wheeled equivalent of a snorting rally hero—spitting flames, bouncing over gravel, and wearing gold wheels like a crown. But fast-forward to today, and the sixth-generation Impreza has become the sensible family hatchback of choice for people who like the idea of AWD but think horsepower is something you measure in lawnmowers.

Still, Subaru Australia seems determined to sprinkle some nostalgia dust on the humble hatch. Their latest concoction is the Impreza S-Edition, a special edition that looks like it got lost on its way to the Tokyo Auto Salon—and that’s not entirely a bad thing.

From the outside, it certainly talks the talk. The most obvious change is the new set of 18-inch Enkei alloys, finished in black and adorned with a cheeky red STI emblem—just in case your neighbours weren’t aware that your Impreza is, in fact, a bit special. Add a gloss-black front splitter, rear skirt, and roof spoiler, and you’ve got yourself a hatchback that looks like it’s trying out for a cameo in Gran Turismo. Subaru even throws in a unique sports grille, which is corporate speak for “it’s the same grille, but with fancier mesh.”

You can have it in just three colours—Pure Red, Crystal Black Silica, or Crystal White Pearl—basically, Ferrari, stealth mode, or stormtrooper. Inside, there’s an STI-branded start button and shift knob, because nothing says “performance” like red letters staring at you while the CVT hums like an electric toothbrush.

And here’s the rub: beneath all that cosplay, this is still the regular Impreza AWD 2.0S. Same 2.0-litre naturally aspirated boxer, same 154 horses, same Lineartronic CVT. In other words, plenty of grip, but not much go. Subaru calls it “racing spirit from grille to tail.” We’d call it “STI in appearance only.”

At least it’s a sensible deal. Only 100 units will be made, each costing AU$42,490—about AU$3,500 more than the standard Impreza AWD 2.0S. But here’s the kicker: you’re getting about AU$6,500 worth of goodies, which means, on paper at least, Subaru is paying you to look fast while being… not fast.

And because Subaru loves to share, there’s also the Crosstrek Onyx, which gets its own set of dark alloys and a black rear spoiler. That one will set you back AU$43,890, which is basically a grand and a half extra for paint and wheels.

So, what have we learned? The Impreza S-Edition is the car equivalent of wearing a rally jacket over your office clothes. It looks the part, feels a bit special, and makes you smile in the mirror—but don’t expect it to suddenly turn into a WRX when the traffic lights go green.

It’s Subaru giving enthusiasts a wink, not a punch.

Source: Subaru Crosstrek Onyx

Sale

Prodrive P25: A €800,000 Tribute to the Legendary Subaru 22B

A rare Prodrive P25 — a meticulously engineered tribute to the legendary Subaru Impreza 22B — has surfaced for sale, with an asking price exceeding €800,000.

Built by British motorsport powerhouse Prodrive, the P25 was unveiled in 2022 as a modern reinterpretation of the two-door Subaru Impreza WRX STI, paying homage to the coveted 22B STI that captured the hearts of enthusiasts in the late 1990s. Only 25 units were ever produced, making the P25 one of the rarest Subaru-based performance machines in existence.

Now, one of these 25 hand-built examples has appeared on the second-hand market with a staggering price tag of £700,000 (approximately €808,000). With just 306 kilometers on the odometer, the car is presented in near-factory condition and finished in the iconic Subaru World Rally blue.

Under the skin, the Prodrive P25 is far more than a nostalgic replica. It’s powered by a thoroughly reworked version of Subaru’s EJ25 2.5-liter turbocharged flat-four engine. Prodrive fitted forged pistons, steel con-rods, machined cylinder heads, variable valve timing, a Garrett turbocharger, bespoke air intake, and a high-performance intercooler. The result? A brutal 456 horsepower and 619 Nm of torque.

Power is sent to all four wheels via a 6-speed sequential gearbox paired with an AP Racing dual-plate clutch. Thanks to extensive use of carbon fiber — including the roof, hood, and side panels — the P25 weighs just 1,200 kg, around 45 kg lighter than the WRX STI it’s based on. This lightweight construction helps launch the car from 0 to 100 km/h in under three seconds — putting it in supercar territory.

With its blend of rally-bred engineering, ultra-limited production, and modern performance, the Prodrive P25 has firmly established itself as a collector’s gem. And judging by the asking price of this example, it’s clear that the market agrees.

Source: RaceCarsForYou

News

Subaru Eyes European Return for BRZ – and It Could Be Electric

After years of absence from Europe’s sports car scene, Subaru is considering a bold return — and it may come with an electric twist.

Speaking to Autocar, Subaru executives revealed that a third-generation BRZ is being explored for European markets, this time potentially as a battery-electric vehicle (BEV). The move would mark Subaru’s re-entry into a segment it’s been absent from since 2020, when the first-generation BRZ quietly exited the continent.

The second-generation BRZ, launched globally in 2024, remained off-limits for most European buyers due to tightening emissions and safety regulations. While its Toyota twin, the GR86, made a limited appearance, the Subaru badge was notably absent.

But that could soon change.

“Our options are open,” said David Dello Stritto, Subaru’s European chief, hinting that the beloved BRZ nameplate could return — albeit in electric form. Backing up that possibility, Inoue Masahiko, Subaru’s global EV product boss, confirmed that an electric BRZ “was under consideration” and had been previously discussed with long-time partner Toyota.

However, he cautioned that the timing and mutual benefit with Toyota were key. “We did consider electrifying the BRZ and GT86,” Masahiko said. “But the win-win relationship is more important, and for the moment we can’t get the kind of benefits for both sides.”

The idea of an electric sports car is not entirely new to Subaru. The brand previewed a potential direction with the high-riding Subaru Sport Mobility Concept in 2023 — a radical vision of what a future electric performance model might look like.

For now, Subaru’s focus remains firmly on its mainstream lineup. The company is pushing hard in the family EV segment with models like the E-Outback, the Solterra, and the upcoming Uncharted SUV — the latter seen as a litmus test for the brand’s future in Europe.

“We feel very positively about Subaru enthusiasts,” said Stritto, “but we need to see how Uncharted does first.”

When asked whether the current BRZ could be retrofitted with an electrified powertrain to meet European standards, Masahiko was realistic: packaging constraints make such a move “difficult.” A purpose-built electric model, he suggested, would be “easier” to develop from the ground up.

And while the idea of a small allocation — say, 100 units — of the current BRZ coming to Europe was floated, Stritto dismissed it as commercially unviable. “That wouldn’t make long-term sense,” he said.

Subaru fans across the continent will be watching closely. With EV performance heating up, the return of a BRZ — silent, swift, and emissions-free — could be just the spark Europe’s sports car scene needs.

Source: Autocar; Photo: Subaru