Throughout the years Subaru have released many special edition cars, and as time has passed there’s not many left of some and many have become collections items, – in this post we will aim to list them all.
We cover all the UK Special Editions in this article, including:
- Series McRae
- Catalunya
- Terzo
- 22b
- RB5
- P1
- UK300
- WR1
- WRX300
- RB320
- GB270
- 330s
- WRX-S
- CS400
Read on for more details on each model!
Impreza Series McRae – 1995
The Impreza Series McRae was released in June 1995 and designed to celebrate Subaru winning the Manufacturers and Drivers World Rally Championship titles. The cars were prepared by Prodrive and limited to just 200. Finished in the popular Mica blue and sitting on 16″ Speedline gold alloys. Inside they featured upgrades such as Recaro seats and a numbered plaque, and sold at £23,000.
Impreza Catalunya – 1997
The Catalunya was built to celebrate Richard Burns winning the Catalunya Rally of the previous years World Rally Championships. Based on the UK Turbo 2000 with some tasty upgrades such as body colour matched door handles and mirrors, red & black upgraded seats & door trims, a numbered plaque, air conditioning, interior mats with logos and limited editions Catalunya badges on the rear. The model sat on 16″ gold alloy wheels, and like the previous McRae model just 200 cars were produced by Prodrive. The car was sold for for £21,160 and entered dealers in March 1997.
Impreza Terzo – 1998
In April 1998 Subaru released the Terzo Special Edition, having had excellent sales from the previous Special Edition models. The Terzo, which means Third in Italian, production was increased to 333 cars, but missing the number 13. The body colour was changed to a lighter blue finish, and the model again sat on 16″ gold alloy wheels. The Terzo was fitted with a Thatcham Category 1 Alarm system, came with an internal plaque and exterior decals and sold for £22,995.
Impreza 22B – 1998
The 22B 3 door Special Edition was released in March 1998 and widely regarded to be one of the best Imprezas ever produced and certainly the most sought after. Subaru produced only 399 cars globally and only a mere 16 were officially imported into the UK. Again there was no number 13. All 399 featured the upgraded 280 bhp 2.2 litre engine, quick steering rack, flared arches, interior upgrades and one off adjustable rear spoiler, however the UK cars was changed to a taller final drive, making it more motorway friendly, final drive and UK lights. Cost of the car was £39,950, by far the most expensive model ever sold at the time, however despite this they quickly sold out. The few remaining 22Bs now sell for close to £100k as of the time of writing.
Impreza RB5 – 1999
The RB5 Special Edition was created to celebrate driver Richard Burns success at the Subaru team. Produced in Cool grey with colour coded door handles, mirros, side skirts and with front and rear lower lip spoilers. The interior featured blue alcantara suede effect trim with a black surround to the seats. This model featured air conditioning, 17″ Speedline 6 spoke Alloy wheels in a pewter colour shod with Pirelli P Zero tyres, and the large PIAA front driving lights. As usual for the special editions it came with a numbered plaque, embossed carpets and exterior decals. the model sold for £24,995 and only 444 were produced. Subaru also produced this model in a WR Sport pack including a new rear wing & ECU remap for more power, at £27500.
Impreza P1 – 1999-200
The P1 was a Prodrive produced Special Edition limited to 1000 cars. Produced in Sonic Blue and based on the 3 door STI Type R. Power was upped to 276bhp through changes to the ECU map & exhaust system, changes were made to the suspension for the UK roads and featured a P1 branded interior including Recaro seats, mats and of course the numbered plaque. The car sat on 17″ OZ Wheels shod with Pirelli PZero tyres. Options included electric seats, Alcon brake calipers. Price when new £31,000 in the UK
Impreza UK300 – 2001
The UK 300 was the Special Edition of the newly released WRX ‘Bugeye’ edition and released on 23/5/2001 with Morette headlamps, decals, numbered plaque and redesigned rear spoiler. 300 were made and proved popular among Subaru fans.
Impreza STI WR1 – 2003
The WR1 Special Edition was based on the STI version 8 with a upgrade to ECU map, sports cat downpipe, rear silencer and finished in Ice Blue paint with WR1 decals and lower front grille and Prodrive 18″ alloy wheels. The model developed 316 bhp. Interior changes included seats, mats and the usual numbered plaque. Only 500 were produced and priced at £31,550
Impreza WRX 300 – 2005
The WRX 300 was launched in 2005 and based on the WRX of that year but with an upgraded ECU map and changes to exhaust system to provide 265ps. Externally WRX 300 decals were the giveaway of its status whilst inside as per usual the model featured special edition seats, mats and a numbered plaque. Sold in UK dealers for £21495
Impreza RB320 – 2006
The RB320 was released in 2006 in memory of ex-Subaru WRC driver Richard Burns who sadly passed away the previous year. The STI Hawkeye based RB320 Special Edition proved extremely popular in its gleaming Obsidian Black Pearl paintwork, orange decals, and usual seats / mats / plaque interior. The model featured a Prodrive ECU map and exhaust system and took its name from the 320 PS power output of the 2.5 litre engine. The model sat on Prodrive alloys with special edition front lip spoiler and grilles, selling at £29,995. The first model was raffled off with all proceeds going to the Richard Burns Foundation.
Impreza GB270 – 2007
The GB270 Special Edition was released in 2007 and featured 300 saloon models and 100 wagons totalling 400. All models had slightly lowered and uprated suspension and sat on Prodrive GT1 Anthracite wheels with body spoiler lip and wing enhancements. All had Prodrive ECU and exhaust enhancements to up the power to 266bhp. All models were priced at £22,995
Impreza 330S – 2008
In 2008 Subaru launched the 330S Special Edition of its new hatchack model, with power up to 330ps and featuring new 18” 5-spoke alloy wheels, 330s badges and the interior upgraded with new alcantara and part leather Recaro seats. Priced well at £30,995
Impreza WRX-S – 2008
WRX-S 2008 was released with a tweaked ECU map running at 251 bhp along with modifications such as STI front lip spoiler, Prodrive alloy wheels and exhaust, with the model finished in WR Blue paint. Priced at a very reasonable £22,495
CS400 Cosworth – 2010
The CS400 Cosworth was produced in 2010 based on the STI hatchback and was the most powerful, most expensive Impreza ever officially released. The CS400’s featured an impressive specification including uprated pistons, bearings, forged con-rods, high-pressure oil pump, ECU remap and a larger turbo, resulting in a power output of 395bhp and a 0-60mph time of 3.7 seconds and top speed limited to 155mph. The gearbox received upgrades to handle the power, the suspension was enhanced with Eibach Springs and Bilstein shock absorbers and the car sat 15mm lower with a 24mm wider track. Braking was improved with the addition of AP Racing 6 pot front brake calipers with 355mm discs. Interior changes were made such as branded seats, mats and a numbered plaque. Only 75 were built and sold in the UK at £49,995.