Performance Review: Subaru Impreza WRX STI - Classic 22B - [1998]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Subaru Impreza Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Subaru Impreza WRX STI - Classic 22B is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1998. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the and the .This particular Subaru Impreza has a 2212cc Turbo Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a F formation.

Alternative Petrol F4's includes the 2010 Subaru Impreza WRX STI R205 Spec C - Hatch

The Impreza shares its Petrol F4 engine configuration with the likes of the 2010 Subaru Impreza WRX STI R205 Spec C - Hatch and the 2010 Subaru Impreza STI CS 400 - Cosworth - Hatch. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Impreza's All Wheel Drive, Saloon combination then how about the or the .

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1270 kgs (2799 lbs) this makes the Subaru Impreza WRX STI - Classic 22B in the same weight category as the 2023 Pagani Utopia 6.0 V12 Twin Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Subaru Impreza shares the same bhp with the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (300 bhp)

In terms of power the 2212cc 16V F4 engine produces 276 bhp (205 kW) @ 6500 rpm similar to the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (300 bhp) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (300 bhp).

The Turbo F4 throws out 268 lb-ft (363.3 Nm) @ 4000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Circuit Edition 1.6 Turbo (273 lb-ft) or the 2022 Toyota Corolla GR 1.6 Turbo (273 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Subaru Impreza you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2017 Maserati GranTurismo MC 4.7 V8 (242.3 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Subaru Impreza.

The Subaru Impreza has a Power to weight ratio of 217.3 bhp per ton and 211.0 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1998 Impreza competing with the 2017 Maserati GranTurismo MC 4.7 V8 (242.3 bhp per ton) or the 2009 Bentley Continental GTC Speed (242.2 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Subaru Impreza generating around 211.0 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2008 Mercedes SL Class 63 AMG V8 R230 (236.0 lb-ft per ton) or the 2018 Audi TT RS 2.5 Turbo (236.0 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 5.00 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 5.2 secs, this made the Subaru Impreza WRX STI - Classic 22B as fast as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Circuit Edition 1.6 Turbo (5.00 secs) the 2022 Toyota Corolla GR 1.6 Turbo (5.00 secs) the 2022 Honda Civic Type R 2.0 Turbo FL5 (5.00 secs) the or the 2020 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works GP (5.00 secs). This Subaru Impreza WRX STI - Classic 22B is also faster than the 2018 Alfa-Romeo Giulia Ti 2.0 Turbo (5.10 secs) the 2018 Alfa-Romeo Giulia Q4 2.0L Turbo (5.10 secs) the 2017 Dodge Challenger RT 5.7 V8 (5.10 secs) the and the 2017 Dodge Charger Daytona 5.7 V8 370 (5.10 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Impreza and the 1957 Chevrolet Corvette C1 283 Convertible

When talking about the performance of the Subaru Impreza on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 13.14 secs @ 104.2 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1957 Chevrolet Corvette C1 283 Convertible (13.07 secs), the 2003 Pontiac GTO 5.7 V8 (13.08 secs), and the 2009 Jaguar XF 4.2 V8 Supercharged (13.09 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1998 version of the Subaru Impreza WRX STI - Classic 22B has a maximum speed of 154mph.

Top Speed of the 1998 Impreza equals the 2022 Lotus Eletre R 905 bhp (165 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1998 Subaru Impreza WRX STI - Classic 22B then how about the 2022 Lotus Eletre R 905 bhp (165 mph), the 2020 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works GP (165 mph), or the 2017 Ford Focus RS 2.3 Mountune FPM375 (165 mph).

Related Links:

1998 Impreza Rivals List.

A Brief History of Subaru

Car Comparison