Ultr竞购战爆发a-Rare Subaru Impreza 22B STi

This is certainly not something you find for sale often. An extremely rare 1998 Subaru Impreza 22B STi is up for auction on Bring A Trailer with a current (as of this writing) bid of $155,555. There are already multiple bidders and the auction won't conclude until April 19. Don't be shocked to see thissurpass the $200k markby the time things are all said and done. But why is the 22B STi so darn so special, aside from the low build numbers?

Subaru of Japan built the coupe-only 22B STi from March through August 1998 as a way to celebrate the automaker's 40th anniversary and for winning its third consecutive manufacturer's title in the FIA World Rally Championship. Bear in mind theSubaru WRX STiwasn't introduced in America until 2004, but it had already begun to attract attention in our neck of the woods long before.

The 22B STi only increased Americans' desire for serious all-wheel drive performance fun. All 400 examples for Japan sold out in 30 minutes. The UK only received 16 examples and another five were sent to Australia. Under the hood is the EJ22G turbocharged Boxer engine whose displacement was increased from 2.0- to 2.2-liters. It produced 276 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 268 lb-ft of torque at 3,200 rpm. Every example came in World Rally Blue.

Flared fenders from the WRC car widened the coupe by about 3 inches. A unique hood, rear fenders, and WRC-inspired front bumper were also part of the package. And, of course, 17-inch gold-finished BBS alloy wheels and an adjustable rear wing contributed to its special status.