The 1998 Subaru Impreza 22B-STi Version is the rarest factory Impreza ever built — 400 cars produced to celebrate Subaru’s three consecutive WRC manufacturer titles and Subaru’s 40th anniversary. With Forza Horizon 6 launching on 2026-05-19 (five days from today, 2026-05-14), the 22B is confirmed on the official Forza.net FH6 car list and also returns from FH5. This page covers real-world heritage, the WRC 555 livery connection, and verified in-game stats across both titles.
Key Facts
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full name | 1998 Subaru Impreza 22B-STi Version |
| Chassis code | GC8E2SD |
| Production units | 400 JDM (plus ~24 export) |
| Anniversary | Subaru 40th + three consecutive WRC manufacturer titles (1995, 1996, 1997) |
| Engine | EJ22G 2.2L flat-four twin-scroll turbocharged |
| Power (JDM rated) | 276 hp (206 kW / 280 PS) @ 6,000 rpm |
| Torque | 363 N·m (268 lb-ft) @ 3,200 rpm — unconfirmed as of May 2026 |
| Curb weight | 1,270 kg |
| Drivetrain | AWD with mechanical front and viscous rear LSDs — unconfirmed as of May 2026 |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual |
| 0-100 kph (real) | 4.7 s — unconfirmed as of May 2026 |
| Top speed (real) | 240 kph — unconfirmed as of May 2026 |
| WRC heritage | Bodywork echoes the Prodrive 555 Impreza WRC97 (McRae, Liatti) |
| FH5 model | 1998 Subaru Impreza 22B STi (Class B) |
| FH5 PI | unconfirmed as of May 2026 |
| FH6 model | 1998 Subaru Impreza 22B-STi Version (confirmed, Class B) |
| FH6 release date | 2026-05-19 |
What the Subaru Impreza 22B-STi Version actually is
The 22B-STi Version is Subaru’s most collectible road car. It was built in 1998 by Subaru Tecnica International to mark two milestones at once: Subaru’s 40th anniversary as a carmaker, and three back-to-back World Rally Championship manufacturer titles (1995, 1996, 1997) won by the Prodrive-run Subaru World Rally Team in the 555-liveried Impreza WRC.
Production was capped at 400 cars for the Japanese domestic market, with a small additional run later sold in the UK (16 cars), Australia (5 cars) and a few one-off press examples. Every car was a 2-door coupe — unusual for the Impreza saloon-based GC8 generation — and every car was finished in Sonic Blue Mica with gold BBS wheels echoing the works rally car.
Under the bonnet, the EJ22G 2.2-litre flat-four was bored out from the standard WRX STi’s 2.0-litre, sleeved, fitted with a forged crank, twin-scroll turbo and unique pistons. Officially the 22B made 280 PS (276 hp) at 6,000 rpm — the maximum permitted under Japan’s 1990s gentleman’s agreement — though period dyno tests routinely measured 300+ hp at the flywheel. The wide-arch bodywork was hand-fabricated steel-and-aluminium, 80 mm wider than a standard Impreza coupe. Curb weight came in around 1,270 kg.
WRC 555 livery heritage: where the 22B came from
The 22B is the closest road car ever offered to the Subaru World Rally Team’s 555-liveried Impreza WRC97. Three components carry directly from the works rally programme:
- Wide bodywork — the 80 mm flared arches, vented bonnet and rear spoiler echo the WRC97 driven by Colin McRae, Piero Liatti and Kenneth Eriksson in the 1997 season.
- Closed-deck EJ block architecture — the same family of strengthened blocks Prodrive raced.
- Sonic Blue Mica + gold BBS wheels — the road-car version of the works team’s State Express 555 cigarette-sponsor livery.
Subaru’s three WRC manufacturer titles (1995, 1996, 1997) were the direct trigger for the project. The car was previewed at the 1998 Tokyo Motor Show and sold out in days when the JDM order book opened.
22B in Forza Horizon 6 (launch May 19, 2026)
The 1998 Subaru Impreza 22B-STi Version is on the official Forza Horizon 6 car list at forza.net/fh6cars, classified as a Class B car at launch.
| Field | FH6 value |
|---|---|
| Full in-game name | 1998 Subaru Impreza 22B-STi Version |
| Class | B |
| PI | unconfirmed as of May 2026 |
| Stock in-game horsepower | unconfirmed as of May 2026 |
| In-game price (Cr) | unconfirmed as of May 2026 |
| Available at launch | Yes |
| Car Pass / DLC | No — base game |
In the FH6 Subaru lineup the 22B sits between the 1990 Legacy RS (Class C) and the 2004 Impreza WRX STi (Class B), and is one of fifteen confirmed Subarus on the day-one roster.
22B in Forza Horizon 5: what carries forward
The 22B is also playable in Forza Horizon 5, where it has been part of the roster since the base game shipped in November 2021. The in-game listing is 1998 Subaru Impreza 22B STi (FH5 drops the hyphen and “Version” suffix used on the FH6 list).
Key points for FH5 players carrying habits over to FH6:
- Class: B in stock tune — same as FH6.
- Drivetrain: AWD, characterised by strong launches and forgiving understeer-into-neutral handling on dirt.
- Stock PI / in-game hp / price: unconfirmed as of May 2026 — refer to the in-game Autoshow for live values.
- Tuning ceiling: typically tuned to S1 (900) for cross-country and S2 (998) for high-PI dirt racing in community shared tunes.
Because both games use the same underlying Forzatech car model, expect FH6’s stock 22B to behave very similarly to FH5’s — particularly on Japan’s mixed-surface roads, which suit the AWD chassis.
How rare is the 22B in the real world vs. in Forza?
| Metric | Real world | Forza Horizon |
|---|---|---|
| Total units built | 400 JDM + ~24 export | Unlimited (Autoshow purchase) |
| Original MSRP (JDM 1998) | 5,000,000 JPY (~US$40,000) | unconfirmed as of May 2026 in-game Cr |
| 2025 auction prices | US$300,000–$450,000 typical — unconfirmed as of May 2026 | One-time in-game purchase |
| Body style | 2-door coupe only | 2-door coupe (matches real) |
| Livery | Sonic Blue Mica + gold BBS (factory) | Player-customisable; community 555 liveries widely shared |
For most players, Forza is the only realistic way to drive a 22B. The car’s combination of light weight, AWD, and 280+ hp makes it a strong B-class all-rounder and a natural fit for rally and cross-country events.
FAQ
Is the Subaru Impreza 22B in Forza Horizon 6? Yes. The 1998 Subaru Impreza 22B-STi Version is on the official Forza.net car list and classified as a Class B car at launch on 2026-05-19.
Is the 22B in Forza Horizon 5? Yes. The 1998 Subaru Impreza 22B STi has been in FH5 since launch as a Class B Autoshow vehicle.
How many Subaru 22B were made? Just 400 cars for the Japanese domestic market, plus a small export run (16 to the UK, 5 to Australia, plus a few press cars). It was built to celebrate Subaru’s 40th anniversary and three back-to-back WRC manufacturer titles.
What engine does the 22B use? A bespoke EJ22G 2.2-litre twin-scroll turbocharged flat-four, rated at 280 PS (276 hp) and 363 N·m of torque — bored out from the standard WRX STi’s 2.0-litre block.
Why is the 22B called ‘22B’? ‘22’ refers to the 2.2-litre displacement of the EJ22G engine; ‘B’ is the STi model designation for the wide-body coupe variant. The full name is 22B-STi Version.
Is the 22B the WRC 555 rally car? No — the 22B is a road car built to commemorate the WRC programme. The Prodrive-built 555-liveried Impreza WRC97 driven by Colin McRae is the works rally car the 22B’s bodywork was styled after.
What class is the 22B in Forza Horizon 6? Class B in stock tune, the same as its FH5 stock class. Specific PI and in-game horsepower for FH6 are not yet published.