No this isn't news, but perhaps a rumor. :)

We all know that Subaru gifted themselves with the 22b in 1998, as a 40th birthday present.

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/images/51144-1.jpg

Well, now it's a decade later, and we're on the eve of the big five-oh.

Since the 22B, and several other UK and JDM specialties, we've seen a lot of nice editions. Take the S20x series and the new RA-R monster. But with the advent of a new model coming out, does anyone think the foreign market(s) will have anything spectacular?

Might make it a bit tricky, that it'll coincide with a brand new model. The 22B of course came out in the classic chassis. Just looking for some thoughts. :)

One thing I don't know about is what model year the new car will be, overseas. What I mean is, the current car debuted overseas as a 2001, but it was a 2002 for USDM. And so forth. But AFAIK, the latest model they have over the pond is 2007, too.

=S2=

nope... we're talkin about subaru here....

The 08 Impreza is plenty enough.

nope... we're talkin about subaru here....

I'd call them frugal, but that's hard to agree with, considering the list of cars I put in my original post. Not to mention all the other editions.

I think they should make another run of 22Bs but sell some in the states. I'll buy one.

I'd call them frugal, but that's hard to agree with, considering the list of cars I put in my original post. Not to mention all the other editions.
i know it was a joke ;) like kostmajoen said, the 08 impreza,tribeca and legacy/ob facelift is more than enough

It would be a gift to simply get a new edition of the 22B or as I keep yapping over and over, a Leg STI that actually competes with the RS4!

They should make a USDM STI version for every model (Legacy, Forester, Outback, Tribeca) that is out for its 50th. Of course this is only wishful thinking.

They will do something. I think. Whether or not it's actually performance based, I couldn't guess. Mechanically, they seem to have their hands full right now.

Nawambo--doesn't the STI compete with the RS4. Maybe not in terms of luxury, style, or price, but on performance?

Not really, in my opinion. Not in the same size OR performance class.

The RS4 is 414hp, and a V8 at that. Sure, any STI *could* compete head-to-head, but any modified car can be made to do............anything. ;) Stock for stock, yes I think an STI could take an RS4, given a very good driver.

But I still don't think they're equal cars, or in the same class. The A4 line is much more aligned toward the Legacy cars.

I agree that an STI Legacy special would be cool!! Though I still think it's more likely to be an Impreza variant.

=S2=

Subaru will announce a new 50th Anniversary Paint Scheme and that Shaun White will race for some no-name rally brand in Idaho.

That's more likely than a repeat of the 22B.

It seems possible that Subaru might tie in its introduction of SBTD cars, which will first appear as 2008 models in Europe, to its 50th anniversary celebrations.

Sbtd?

You guys talk aboutt a special edition car marking the 50th anniv, but guess what, even if they do, they'll prob just sell it only in japan with a limited release in europe i bet. Since when has SOA ever released any special edition car on the scale of the ones released in japan?

Ed

^

good point

the 22b celebrated the 40th anniversary and their World Rally Championships for 96, 97, 98 (i think). Subaru needs to win WRC championships again to bring out another car like that.

The RS4 costs almost twice as much as anything from the Subaru roster, why should Subaru come out with a car that competes against the likes of the RS4 ???

Sbtd?SBTD is currently just a trademark application (see http://tarr.uspto.gov/servlet/tarr?regser=serial&entry=77012742), which I believe corresponds to Subaru Boxer Turbo Diesel.

Give us the 100mpg Hybrid or the 2 doors coupe/hatchback rocket FHI/SOA!!!:disco: :furious: :disco:

if they release a special model... it'll only be a jdm version, they leave the best for themselves

You guys talk aboutt a special edition car marking the 50th anniv, but guess what, even if they do, they'll prob just sell it only in japan with a limited release in europe i bet. Since when has SOA ever released any special edition car on the scale of the ones released in japan?

Ed

Who said anything about it coming out for the USDM market?

:)


Since the 22B, and several other UK and JDM specialties, we've seen a lot of nice editions. Take the S20x series and the new RA-R monster. But with the advent of a new model coming out, does anyone think the foreign market(s) will have anything spectacular?

Nawambo--doesn't the STI compete with the RS4. Maybe not in terms of luxury, style, or price, but on performance?

It's already been discussed a bit, but generally no, sure the performance is similar, but say in 5 years, I want to go beyond the current cars I own, I'll still be an enthusiast, give me a larger more, dare I say, elegant, more powerful sports sedan: Leg STI. The Spec B already competes with the S4 on some level (and the price doesn't have to be similar), I'd like a strong monster of a car that performance and to a lesser extent creature comforts compete with the RS4. For mid 30's to low 40's -- that could be awesome!

Cheers,
Nawambo

I'd like to think that the spec.B competes with the S4, at least technically, but I don't think it does.

I think they're definitely competetive with the right drivers, but the Legacy needs more power to be in the same actual performance class, I'd say.

33b (ten years, two more cylinders)

Hmm, 3.3L H-6.... twin turbo.....


Hmmm.. :D

Hey you're in Hbg. huh?

33b (ten years, two more cylinders)
22B doesn't have anything to do with displacement.

22B is 555 in hex. 555 was their primary sponsor during those WRC championship years.

But 22 can also be associated with the 2.2L engine. :D

22B doesn't have anything to do with displacement.

22B is 555 in hex. 555 was their primary sponsor during those WRC championship years.

*sigh*

C'mon now, this has been debated forever.

There's hoardes of people who say the "hex" thing is just a coincidence.

(Though it'd be one hell of a coincidence....)


But yes, it's also an EJ22 turbo.

22B is 555 in hex.

Cool. Did the 22bs come with a "Collector's edition" pocket protector too?:p

No, just a cool mod that rattled your kidneys and teeth out, when you drove it.

:D :D

Not really, in my opinion. Not in the same size OR performance class.

The RS4 is 414hp, and a V8 at that. Sure, any STI *could* compete head-to-head, but any modified car can be made to do............anything. ;) Stock for stock, yes I think an STI could take an RS4, given a very good driver.

But I still don't think they're equal cars, or in the same class. The A4 line is much more aligned toward the Legacy cars.

I agree that an STI Legacy special would be cool!! Though I still think it's more likely to be an Impreza variant.

=S2=

Just happened accross an RS4 for the first time the other night, going up a long broad two laned onramp.

I'm an '05 STI with Cobb Stage 2 and Short Ram Intake. For such a fat car that RS4 was damn quick.

He could not pass me, but neither could I escape him. Ah well, at least mine cost half as much.

My impression is that if I were stock he would have had a slight advantage.

-James

22B doesn't have anything to do with displacement.

22B is 555 in hex. 555 was their primary sponsor during those WRC championship years.
Psst: your nerd is showing.

22B stands for 2.2l Boxer, since the 22B used a heavily modified EJ22T (which Subaru also used, albeit much detuned, in the Turbo Legacies from 1991 - 1994).

Vostok 7

OH just stop. Even if they put out a spec version, it'll be only a jdm version. Another picture you can drool over.;)

Psst: your nerd is showing.http://www.tigtag.com/smiley/y_nerd.gif

Psst: your nerd is showing.

22B stands for 2.2l Boxer, since the 22B used a heavily modified EJ22T (which Subaru also used, albeit much detuned, in the Turbo Legacies from 1991 - 1994).

Vostok 7
bssst wrong!

bssst wrong!

I second that... WRONG :p ;)

Psst: your nerd is showing.

22B stands for 2.2l Boxer, since the 22B used a heavily modified EJ22T (which Subaru also used, albeit much detuned, in the Turbo Legacies from 1991 - 1994).

Vostok 7
wong... i mean wrong.

Well, if they do anything special for the 50th, it won't be coming to the US market, you can bank on that...

wong... i mean wrong.

The legacy EJ22T was a closed deck block. The 22b's block was an open or semi closed design. So yeah he's wrong....i often wonder how people get these crazy ideas.

The 22b Was an EJ20 out of an STi, which was then bored to 2.2L .

http://www.22b.com


The 22B is a limited edition Impreza based upon the Japanese domestic WRX STi Type R version 4 Coupe (phew!) During its transformation the bodyshell, parts and engine are removed from the standard Impreza production line no less than 6 times, and 3 different facilities used for modification.

1. The car starts off as a donor shell from an Impreza WRX STi type R version 4 Coupe.
2. STi then modifies the front and rear wheel arches by cutting away the existing ones and rewelding and extending them so that the body is some 80mm wider.
3. The body is then seam welded and repainted by a specialist (as the body is too wide and does not fit through the normal painting production line at Subaru)
4. STi takes the engine and bores out the normal 2 litre lump to 2.2 litres. This will allow more torque at lower revs.
5. The clutch plate and disk are replaced with an STI ceramic/metal twin plate competition clutch with dumpers, for better release action.
6. The suspension is replaced with a special Bilstein and Eibach set, (much firmer than the normal one), and the track is widened to suit the wide body.
7. WRC styling is added by the addition of a huge adjustable rear wing, a front bumper that looks like it has bene lifted strainght from the WRC, and different engine bay bonnet vents again copying the WRC. These modifications produce a replica to the WRC car.
8. Finally the car is fitted with a unique blue interior and aluminium alloy BBS wheels.

Number 6 is what I've asked about numerous times, but always told nothing is different on the 22B to make it wider. What is it, longer control arms?

17x8.5 wheels, I'm not sure of anything else.

The RS4 costs almost twice as much as anything from the Subaru roster, why should Subaru come out with a car that competes against the likes of the RS4 ???


Thats what made the '02s so popular, you could run with the 02 S4s and M3s.... And those cars were in the x2-x3 range....