In 1997 Prodrive debuted the two door Subaru Impreza World Rally Car (WRC) and won the Manufacturer’s Title in its inaugural season. The WRC97 thrilled motorsport fans the world over and gave birth to iconic road-going versions.
Now, 25 years after the introduction of the WRC97, we have launched the Prodrive P25 - a modern interpretation of the rally icon reimagined, redefined and recreated using its championship-winning DNA to deliver the ultimate competition car for the road.
A limited number of 25 of these highly personalised, exclusive vehicles will leave our UK headquarters throughout 2023 in both right and left-hand drive models.
Peter Stevens, who designed the original Impreza WRC in 1997, as well as subsequent Prodrive limited edition Imprezas, has restyled a number of features for the P25. Working alongside the Prodrive Engineering Team, overseen by Technical Director, David Lapworth, the modern version is aligned with the heart and spirit of the original WRC97.
The technical focus has been on making P25 lighter, more powerful and even better handling than its competition predecessor. As a result, the Prodrive P25 will, quite simply, be the best road-going Subaru Impreza ever built.
REDUCED
WEIGHT
Lightweight bodywork, achieved by the extensive use of carbon composite, means the car weighs less than 1200 kg.
Manufacturing the boot, bonnet, roof, sills, door mirror housings, front and rear quarters, bumpers and WRC style rear wing from carbon composite removes weight from the chassis.
Inside, optional lightweight race seats, carbon door cards and a lightweight lithium-ion battery can help achieve the best possible power to weight ratio.
MORE
POWER
The brand new 2.5-litre Prodrive-built turbocharged four-cylinder boxer engine is based on the EJ25 and now produces 450BHP.
Improvement is thanks to bespoke internal components, including forged pistons, steel con rods, ported cylinder heads and new value seats for improved airflow and combustion, and a valve train with variable cam timing. There is a Garrett performance road turbo with a high-performance intercooler and airbox as well as an Akrapovič titanium tipped racing exhaust system.
The engine is mated to a six-speed sequential gearbox with helical cut gears and semi-automatic shift via a single paddle on the steering column, giving precise gear changes in 80 milliseconds.
The car has a WRC-style launch control system, which combines the fly-by-wire throttle and clutch in the floor-mounted pedal box, to automatically take the car through first, second and into third gear. Achieving this optimal acceleration from a standstill without any driver intervention means the P25 will reach 60 mph from rest in under 3 seconds.
The ECU and bespoke controller provide Road, Sport, and Sport+ maps which give you control over progressively increasing boost from the turbo, delivering a sharper throttle for quicker engine response, and finally deploys an Anti Lag System for immediate power delivery out of every corner. The system also electronically controls the differential for more precise handling.
OPTIMISED
VEHICLE DYNAMICS
The front and rear carbon wheel arches take their cue from the original WRC97, allowing for a wider track.
Increased power is delivered to all four wheels with a drivetrain via an adjustable active centre differential and limited slip differentials front and rear. Strut suspension has been retained, but machined aluminium uprights tuned for camber and geometry optimise the wider track and lowered ride height. Bilstein dampers are adjustable for compression and rebound, while the springs and anti-roll bars optimise the tarmac handling.
Stopping power is provided by AP Racing brakes with 380 mm vented discs and six-piston callipers at the front and 350 mm vented discs and four-piston callipers at the rear with floating bells and multiple pad options. Prodrive GC-012L 8.5 x 19 rims are fitted with Bridgestone Potenza Sport 235/35 R 19 tyres which were selected during rigorous testing for their peak performance and durability.
Handling benefits from an improved aero package. The front bumper and splitter reduce lift from 390N to 300N whilst improving cooling airflow. At the rear, the P25’s carbon rear wing, based on the WRC97 design, provides 300N of downforce.
SPECIFICATIONS
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When do tours take place?As Prodrive is a working environment, we can only accommodate tours on Wednesdays. There are two planned tours each Wednesday, one in the morning at 10:00 and one in the afternoon at 14:00.
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Do you do tours in the evening or weekends?We try to do tours only during working hours as this offers visitors by far the best experience as you see Prodrive in action with cars and engines being assembled and sometimes tested on the dyno. If it is not possible to visit during working hours then please contact us to try to make special arrangements for a group.
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How long do tours last?Tours typically can last up approximately between 90 minutes and 2 hours. However, we do adapt the time and content depending on the needs of the group, e.g. for a young student group we would aim for a maximum time of 45-60 minutes, but for some it may be longer.
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How do I confirm booking and payment for tours?Once we have confirmed the time and date for your tour we will send you details on how to pay. For individuals, this will be via online payment with a debit/credit card, and for groups there is the additional option of a bank transfer. Payment must be completed in advance, and we do not accept cash or cheques on the day.
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Can I bring my children?We suggest a minimum age of 10 on a standard public tour. We also suggest assessing that your child is likely to remain interested for the duration of the tour before booking a place for them. Children under 18 are charged £10 when joining a public tour with a full paying adult (one child per adult). Pre-organised student tour groups are free.
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What is the minimum age for student groups?We would suggest that 10 (year 6 - final year of primary) is the youngest age group for a student tour.
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Where can I park?There should be adequate parking in our visitor spaces outside reception. We do not have parking for coaches and we would suggest guests are dropped off near our entrance and walk the 100m to reception as there is no room for a coach to turnaround.
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Is there disabled access?Yes the tour is fully accessible to wheelchairs and we have disabled parking directly outside our main reception. If you have any particular needs please contact us.
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Can I just turn up for a look around the building?You can only tour the building as part of a pre-booked guided tour. We are not open to the general public.
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How many people are there on a tour?Tours are done in groups of between a minimum of 10 and maximum of 16 people. These numbers are designed to offer the best experience possible.
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What if I want to book for a group of people?Depending on how many are in your group, you may be part of tour of up to 15 people, or we might need to split your group across different times. Please contact us for further information and to discuss any specific requirements.
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Can I buy a tour for a friend as a present?We do have vouchers available so that you can gift a tour to someone else. Vouchers need to be redeemed within 1 year of the purchase date.
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Can I book a tour on a specific date?Tours are conducted on Wednesdays. We will our best to accommodate preferred dates, but due to demand we may not always be able to offer your first preferred date.
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Can I take pictures?Due to a lot of the work we do at Prodrive, photography is not permitted in most of the building. However it is allowed in select areas of the building, such as our reception and Heritage Area. Your Tour Host will inform guests on the day where and when they can take pictures.
EXTERIOR
OPTIONS
- Exterior paint personalisation
- Exposed carbon roof
- Exposed carbon wing gurney
- Exposed carbon wing mirrors
- Wheel colour
- Carbon tarmac splitter
INTERIOR
OPTIONS
- Bespoke choice of finishing materials & trim with stitching colour options.
- Left-hand drive conversion
- Front seating options:
- Standard seats
- Carbon reclining seats
- Fixed carbon racing seats
- Rear seating can be replaced with half cage & fire extinguisher integration.
- Four-point* or six-point** safety harness
- Three-point seat belts will be retained in all specifications for road use.
- Spare wheel mounted in the boot with jack.
- Passenger-side electronic dash readout with a horn button footrest.
* Only available on carbon reclining seat option and rear-seat delete option required.
** Only available on fixed carbon racing seat option and rear-seat delete option required.