Subaru Explains How Its New Hybrid Boxer Engine is Better

Subaru is best known for more than a few things. Safety, all-wheel drive, rallying, and their Boxer engines are just a small part of what customers keep coming back for. With a customer retention rate of over 60%, the highest among mainstream SUV brands, Subaru keeps buyers happy and continually innovates. 

A Next-Gen Engine Conference

At a recent conference by Subaru, Toyota, and Mazda, the three Japanese manufacturers discussed their plans to keep the internal combustion engine around for years to come, thanks to engine innovation and clever technology and features. Subaru outlined their goal of a brand new hybrid Boxer motor, where instead of the engine and battery system married together, the Boxer will keep its point of sending power to the wheels while also acting as a generator for the electric battery system in the car. 

A Message From Subaru

When talking to the media about the latest development in a Boxer hybrid motor, Subaru Chief Technology Officer Tetsuo Fujinuki said, “If you were just going for efficiency, horizontally opposed engines are not necessarily always the best option. But what would Subaru be without them? When you think about it, we are the only mass-market brand making horizontally opposed engines today.”

Past Versus Future

In the previous generation Crosstrek Hybrid, the power control unit was housed in the rear of the car, forcing Subaru to make the gas tank smaller than the non-hybrid Crosstrek. However, with this new system, the engine, transmission, hybrid system, and transfer case can all be housed inside the engine bay, meaning the gas tanks can be larger, and the overall packaging doesn’t need to be much different from the normal models. 

How Else Can A Next-Gen Hybrid Be Utilized?

While Subaru only showed off its latest hybrid setup, there is no doubt that this could see its way into more cars over the upcoming generations. While they may not be fully hybrid-powered cars, they could easily use hybrid technology to replace turbochargers in their engines. The company currently produces a turbocharged 2.4-liter Boxer 4-cylinder for the WRX, Outback, and Ascent, which could easily utilize a hybrid system to add both power and better efficiency to the engine without sacrificing performance or usability. 

At Twin Falls Subaru, we are happy to offer our customers hundreds of new and used vehicles. Our fantastic sales team and finance department will work hard to find the best car for your needs. Our dedicated service department will always ensure that your vehicle is taken care of in the best way possible. We look forward to serving you soon.