'Boxer engine' used in Subaru models

THE ASAHI SHIMBUN

2010/09/25

Fuji Heavy Industries' next-generation "boxer engine" (KOJI NISHIMURA/ THE ASAHI SHIMBUN)

Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd., maker of Subaru vehicles, is introducing a next-generation horizontal engine, the company said Thursday.

It is the first major overhaul of Subaru engines for Legacy passenger cars and other vehicles since the current engine was introduced in 1989.

The engine's pistons are arranged symmetrically on the left and right of the crankshaft. It is also called a "boxer engine" because the piston movements resemble punches thrown by boxers.

With its redesigned piston shape and placement, the boxer engine achieves higher combustion efficiency. Its lightweight components offer 10-percent improved fuel efficiency over Subaru's current engines, helping to meet higher environmental standards in industrialized countries.

The company will produce boxer engines with 2- and 2.5-liter displacements. It will build them into the updated Forester model from this autumn and later in other model lines.

Although boxer engines have a low center gravity and offer better driving performance with smooth acceleration, Fuji Heavy Industries is the only manufacturer to produce the engines in Japan due to the sheer number of components that are needed.