Do All Subaru Cars Have a Boxer Engine?
Introduction
Subaru is a Japanese automaker that is known for its all-wheel drive vehicles and its use of boxer engines. Boxer engines are a type of flat engine that has its cylinders arranged horizontally opposed to each other. This design gives boxer engines a number of advantages, including a lower center of gravity, improved weight distribution, and smoother operation.
History of Boxer Engines in Subaru Cars
Subaru first introduced the boxer engine in its 1966 Subaru 1000. Since then, boxer engines have been used in the majority of Subaru models. The only exceptions are the Subaru BRZ and Toyota 86, which use a Toyota-sourced flat-four engine.
Advantages of Boxer Engines
Boxer engines offer a number of advantages over other types of engines. These advantages include:
- Lower center of gravity: The flat design of boxer engines gives them a lower center of gravity than other types of engines. This makes Subaru cars more stable and less likely to roll over.
- Improved weight distribution: The boxer engine’s horizontally opposed cylinders help to improve weight distribution. This makes Subaru cars more balanced and easier to handle.
- Smoother operation: Boxer engines run smoother than other types of engines. This is because the opposing cylinders cancel out each other’s vibrations.
Disadvantages of Boxer Engines
Boxer engines also have some disadvantages compared to other types of engines. These disadvantages include:
- Higher cost: Boxer engines are more expensive to manufacture than other types of engines. This is because they require more parts and assembly time.
- Lower fuel efficiency: Boxer engines are not as fuel efficient as other types of engines. This is because they have a larger surface area, which increases friction.
Conclusion
Boxer engines offer a number of advantages over other types of engines, including a lower center of gravity, improved weight distribution, and smoother operation. However, boxer engines are also more expensive and less fuel efficient than other types of engines.
Overall, boxer engines are a good choice for Subaru cars because they offer a number of performance and handling advantages. However, buyers should be aware of the higher cost and lower fuel efficiency of boxer engines before making a purchase decision.