The first Subaru Boxer engine was introduced on 14th May 1966 and got a place in Subaru 1000 compact car – the automaker’s first front wheel drive vehicle. Fast forward to 2016, astonishingly, the company still manufactures Boxer engine and is celebrating its 50th anniversary.
The Subaru 1000 was capable of producing 54 horsepower and 57 lb·ft (77 N·m) of torque. It weighed only 1,500 pounds and was much more compact than the Subaru Impreza sedan. Today, the boxer engine in Bonkers S207 retains a 2.5L boxer to create 323bhp.
The boxer engines have a significant advantage over regular engines as they possess shorter length, lower centre of gravity, better internal balance and a more enhanced cooling system. However, they also have certain disadvantages such as high manufacturing cost and increased width.
The Subaru Boxer engine is still in production and is offered in both diesel and gasoline configuration. The only Subaru vehicle without a boxer engine is the Justy hatchback, which is available in the Japanese market.