Chris' Object of Automotive Desire - 1/19

When Subaru introduced its WRX, fundamentally a hot-rod, turbocharged, all-wheel drive version of its Impreza economy car, in the mid-1990s in every market except the U.S., it seemed like a travesty of justice. Here was a go everywhere, do anything car with the performance of a Corvette or a Ferrari, with the practicality and utility of a Subaru - all in a relatively subtle package that evoked the all-conquering World Rally Subaru of driver Colin McRae.

Never was the sting most painful as when Subaru introduced the Sti 22B variant to the European and Asian markets. Hyper-powerful, with enough speed and traction to run with all but the most exotic six-figure supercars, the 22B provided a nuclear weapon with the look and expense of a prison shiv.

Of course, Subaru later brought the WRX to America and even added the hyper-quick STi version, but as desirable as those cars (and they are - future COoADs) they are detuned and rather odder-looking than the 22B.

The Subaru WRX STi 22B - truly a pint-sized supercar, but never available here.