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Subaru’s BOXER engine turns 50

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Josée Paquet

On May 14th, 1966, Subaru launched the very first BOXER engine in a Subaru 1000. Fifty years and more than 16 million units later, this horizontally-opposed engine can be found in all Subaru vehicles.

A key part of the company’s equally famous symmetrical all-wheel drive system, the BOXER engine has pistons that face each other in a side-to-side symmetrical layout, resulting in less vibration and superb rotational balance for a smooth feel right up to the high rev range. It also lowers the car’s centre of gravity for superior handling.

Happy 50th anniversary, Subaru’s BOXER!

 

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Josée Paquet
Josée Paquet
Automotive expert