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BOXER® Engine

SUBARU BOXER® Engine



How the SUBARU BOXER® Engine is Different

Inspired by the design of airplane engines, the SUBARU BOXER® engine stands out from the type of engine you'd typically find in a car. Instead of pistons moving straight up and down, or at an angle like most engines, the pistons of the SUBARU BOXER® engine are laid flat and move parallel to the ground. The unique punch, counter-punch action is inherently smoother, and the low, horizontal layout is more balanced and stable. And what's more, its alignment allows us to feed power directly into the Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system with maximum efficiency.

SUBARU BOXER® Engine vs. Inline Engine

SUBARU BOXER<sup>®</sup> Engine vs. Inline Engine Configuration image

Inline engines feature pistons that sit upright and move straight up and down. This means the engine block is taller overall and has a higher center of gravity than a SUBARU BOXER® engine, which features pistons laid flat. The upright layout of inline engines means they can vibrate more during operation. Also, these engines are often placed transversely -- in 90° opposition -- to the central driveshaft. If you want the control that comes from all-wheel drive with such a layout, extra components must be added. These components route power through several 90° turns before it reaches the wheels. This makes the system more complicated than what's possible with a SUBARU BOXER® engine. And it makes symmetry all but impossible.

SUBARU BOXER® Engine vs. V-type Engine

SUBARU BOXER<sup>®</sup> Engine vs. V-type Engine Configuration image

The pistons in a V-type engine move at a more upright angle to each other. Without the horizontally opposed motion of the SUBARU BOXER® engine, they are more prone to side-to-side vibration. Also, the V-type design inherently has a higher center of gravity than the flat design of the SUBARU BOXER® engine, and because it often sits higher in the vehicle, it can elevate the center of gravity of the entire vehicle. The result is performance that can be less smooth than a SUBARU BOXER® engine and handling that isn't as tight and responsive. What's more, the extra vibration can require extra parts to stabilize the engine, which add weight and bulk.

SUBARU BOXER® Engine vs. Hybrid or Battery-based System

Hybrid or battery-based drive systems certainly have advantages, but they are not without trade-offs. For example, you often sacrifice versatility and capability with a hybrid or electric vehicle. Towing capacity and the ability to tackle rough roads are greatly increased with the SUBARU BOXER® engine. Subaru also invests tremendous interest in building engines that burn cleanly. The Forester, Legacy and Outback even received similar EPA air pollution scores as hybrid vehicles in their class3. What's more, with the conventional, yet clean approach Subaru uses, we avoid the environmental risks of manufacturing batteries, and then disposing of the chemicals later on.


Why the SUBARU BOXER® Engine is Better

Positioning the pistons flat and turning the engine so it's going the same direction as the central driveshaft has allowed us to achieve some unique driving characteristics. Smoother performance comes from the horizontally opposed pistons. That reduced vibration can help an engine perform more reliably. Balance and stability result from a flat profile and low placement. And its layout has allowed us to build an all-wheel drive system with almost perfect side-to-side symmetry. The result is more confident, more comfortable, and more engaging driving.

Smoother Performance

In the SUBARU BOXER® engine, the pistons are laid flat, and move in 180-degree opposition to each other on a horizontal plane. When one piston moves, the piston opposite it moves in the other direction. That counter motion helps cancel out the vibration that the movement of the pistons cause. This means when you step on the accelerator the revs come on smooth. So the power is there when you need it, without ever compromising your comfort or control.

Increased Durability

Subaru vehicles are known for being rough and tumble, and being able to withstand years of tough conditions. We earned that reputation beginning with the way we build our engines. The flat design of the SUBARU BOXER® engine is inherently rigid, and we build each with great attention to strength and toughness. Also, power is produced with less vibration than other designs. An engine that is subjected to less vibration lasts longer. It's no wonder 94% of Subaru vehicles we've built in the last 10 years are still on the road today1.

Greater Agility

With the pistons laid on their sides, the engine block of the SUBARU BOXER® engine is flatter than other designs. Not only does the engine have a lower profile, but we also place it lower in the chassis. It's designed to be perfectly symmetrical side-to-side, for an exceptionally well-balanced package. The engine is generally the heaviest single part of a vehicle, and with such a well-balanced and low-center-of-gravity design, the SUBARU BOXER® engine helps keep the vehicle as a whole more balanced and more stable. This helps make the vehicle react more quickly to changes in direction, and more resistant to side-to-side motion during cornering.



Performance

Performance means different things to different people. And with multiple types of SUBARU BOXER® engines available in a wide range of output levels, there's one that fits your definition. What they each have in common is the smooth operation and sharp vehicle handling characteristics that make driving a Subaru so remarkable.

2.5-liter 4-cylinder SUBARU BOXER® Engine

2.5-liter 4-cylinder SUBARU BOXER<sup>®</sup> Engine image

Capable power, with exceptional value. The 2.5-liter 4-cylinder SUBARU BOXER® engine offers 170 horsepower -- ample power for confident driving -- all delivered with the smoothness and poised handling made possible by its horizontally opposed design. What's more, it offers efficient performance that has helped make the Subaru lineup of vehicles the most fuel-efficient all-wheel drive lineup in America2.



2.5-liter Turbo SUBARU BOXER® Engine

2.5-liter Turbocharged 4-cylinder SUBARU BOXER<sup>®</sup> Engine image

The intercooled, turbocharged 2.5-liter engine comes in many different flavors. The Forester 2.5XT, with an energetic 224 horsepower, inspires fun and confident driving. Legacy 2.5GT puts a muscular 265 horsepower at your disposal for athletic performance. While the Impreza WRX STI devours roads with the 305-horsepower rush from its powerplant. Each version delivers the kind of lift to your day that only the punch of turbocharged performance can provide. Step on the pedal of any model with the 2.5-liter turbo, and you'll experience quick responsiveness that will instantly draw you into the driving experience.


3.6-liter 6-cylinder SUBARU BOXER® Engine

3.6-liter 6-cylinder SUBARU BOXER<sup>®</sup> Engine image

The largest SUBARU BOXER® engine available, the 3.6-liter 6-cylinder provides you with a wealth of ultra-smooth power. 256 horsepower and 247 lb-ft of torque will move you over the road with effortless grace. Its low-profile design and low placement deliver a level of poise and vehicle stability not often found on engines with such a large displacement. The horizontally opposed design feeds power with maximum efficiency to each wheel for a driving experience that's always the utmost in confidence.






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