‘Rarest’ Subaru Impreza built that’s one of just 400 hits auction – but it’ll cost you £250k for a very good reason

A RARE Subaru has hit auction in the UK with the asking price set for £250k.

The 1998 Impreza 22B-Sti is one of only 400 ever made by the Japanese giant of the rare 22B performance car.

PistonheadsThis 22B is on auction for £250,000 in a Ken motor auction house[/caption]

PistonheadsIt is only one of 400 22Bs made, other cars have sold for even more[/caption]

PistonheadsThe beautiful blue and black interior gives it a high performance feel[/caption]

In iconic Subaru Sonic Blue, one 22B is currently on sale by car auction house VVS UK in Cranbook Common, Kent, for £250,000.

Despite £250k for a car seeming like a “ludicrous amount”, one 22B sold for £245,000 ($312,555USD) in California in 2021.

Another sold for £300,000 ($600,000NZD) in New Zealand in 2022.

VVS say this 22B on sale came to Britain in 2002 after its owner relocated to the UK.

The car only has 30,000 miles on the clock and only two other owners.

VVS says: “This is a very original example, including exclsuive STI parts such as the Kenwood upgraded audio and speaker system.”

The car has blue and black interior and awesome gold wheel trim.

The 22B was a commemorative release designed to celebrate Subaru’s 40th anniversary and its third World Rally Championship manufacturers title in a row.

Officially, the Impreza has 276 break horsepower, but one motor expert revealed that the figure isn’t accurate.

In one cars_and_bids TikTok clip, an expert reveals that in a “gentleman’s agreement” in the ’90s Japanese car makers agreed to limit the horsepower of their cars to 276 on paper.

“These were the rarest and most special high performance Imprezas of their day.”

The expert also says that nobody knows what the 22B name means, with no consensus on where the name came from.

Fans of the car on TikTok were aghast that a Subaru could cost £250,000.

One said: “No matter how rare. NOT WORTH $300k, please .. all hype.”

Another said: “People saying it’s not worth 300k, it’s not worth 300k TO YOU, if someone buys something that’s how much it’s worth to them.”

While a third said: “My dream car right there. I know I won’t ever get one but if I can get a 1996 Sti or wrx I’ll build it and style it to a 22b.”

One commenter thought they solved the mystery of the name: “I would’ve thought 22B would be 2.2L Boxer referencing the engine and not mentioning the suspension at all.”

PistonheadsThe 22B officially only has 276 horsepower, but the real number is much higher[/caption]

PistonheadsThe 22B was launched to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the founding of Subaru[/caption]