A RECREATION of the legendary Subaru Impreza World Rally car is to be produced by engineering specialists Prodrive with each of a limited run of 25 models costing £460,000 plus VAT.

It's 25 years since Prodrive debuted the two door Impreza rally car which inspired the Subaru Impreza 22B.

Only 424 of the special edition road cars were manufactured and it achieved cult status as the ultimate turbo charged four-wheel drive car of its era.

Now Prodrive has reimagined what this car would have been today using the latest technology and materials.

Each has an original two-door Impreza WRX chassis at its core - the same chassis used in the first Impreza WRC - but with reduced weight, a more powerful engine and improved vehicle dynamics.

Extensive use of carbon composite means the car weighs less than 1,200 kg and it is powered by the latest 2.5-litre flat four ‘boxer' Subaru engine producing more than 400 bhp and 600 Nm of torque and mated to a six speed semi-automatic gearbox.

A rally-derived launch control and turbo anti-lag system means the P25 will reach 62mph from rest in under 3.5 seconds.

The engine has been totally re-engineered by Prodrive's powertrain team with bespoke internal components, including new cylinder liners, pistons, con rods, and a valve train with variable cam timing.

The dashboard is a full width high-definition multi-page display including a data logger and for those wishing to take the car on track, the driver can select from various throttle response and engine performance maps, including anti-lag adjustment.

There is also a WRC style ‘fly-off' hydraulic handbrake, which automatically disengages the centre differential to remove drive to the rear wheels. This is in addition to the standard electric parking brake.

The interior has also been upgraded, recreating an authentic late 1990s Impreza interior using a combination of leather, Alcantara and carbon trim. The P25 can carry four passengers, but there is also the option to remove the rear seats and have a partial safety cage fitted.

David Richards, Prodrive chairman, said: "The iconic blue Subarus bring back memories of an extraordinary era of the WRC and it was the Impreza 22B that brought this rally car performance to the road.

"By reimagining this car using the latest technologies and materials the Prodrive P25 pays homage to its roots and there will be little else able to match its performance on the open road."

The first P25 development car will make several runs up the hill at the Goodwood Festival of Speed on June 23, before embarking on an extensive test and development programme.

The 25 production cars will be built at Prodrive's headquarters in Banbury with the first being delivered to customers later in the year.