Power of 10: 100 Prodrive Subaru Impreza P1s Unite for Homecoming

How’s this for numerology? To celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Prodrive Subaru Impreza P1, 100 cars gathered at Prodrive’s headquarters, accounting for 10 percent of the 1000-car production run.

Tripping? We were when we first laid eyes on the P1 back in 2000. Envisioned as a means to curb gray-market Impreza imports into the United Kingdom, the P1 was the hottest Impreza money could buy, at least in the European Union. That’s not surprising, given Prodrive — the same outfit that prepared Subaru’s victorious Impreza rally cars — was in charge of developing the model, which was loosely based on the Japanese-spec Impreza WRX STI Type R.

To start, the English firm had to certify the two-door Impreza body style with the British government, as the car wasn’t part of Subaru’s U.K. lineup and lacked type certification. After achieving that, engineers set about creating a veritable rally weapon for the road. Output from the 2.0-liter turbocharged boxer four-cylinder was boosted from 218 horsepower to 280 horsepower, thanks in part to a revised engine controller and a low-restriction exhaust.

Structurally, the P1 differed from its other coupe siblings in two notable ways. Prodrive added an aluminum hood, and also installed a solid rear bulkhead — a trick used on the rally cars to stiffen the body structure. The P1’s suspension was also given a unique steering rack and dampers designed especially for high-speed blasts down Britain’s bumpy back roads.

Although it carried a base price in the realm of $40,000, the P1 offered buyers little say in how the car was built. Six-piston front brake calipers and Recaro seating were the sole options. Customers could order their car in any color desired, so long as it was the unique Sonic Blue paint, inspired by Subaru’s WRC livery.

The modifications certainly made the P1 fast (0-60 mph times were reported to be in the realm of 4.7 seconds), and accordingly, it sold out just as quickly. Prodrive originally planned on building 500 examples, but having witnessed insane demand for such an insane car after debuting it at the 1999 London Motor Show, decided to double that figure.

Source: Prodrive