Fuji Heavy develops next-generation Boxer engine

Fuji Heavy Industries (FHI), owner of the Subaru brand, announced that it has developed the next-generation Boxer engine, delivering an almost 10% improvement in fuel efficiency compared with previous versions. The new Boxer engine is available with either a 2.0 or 2.5-liter capacity. This is the first overhaul of the Boxer engine in 21 years since FHI introduced the second-generation engine in the Legacy series in 1989. The company aims to introduce the next-generation Boxer engine in its vehicle line-up before the end of this year, starting with its Forester sport utility vehicle (SUV). The company is also expected to use this engine in the first electric-gasoline hybrid version of its new-generation model, scheduled for launch in Japan in 2012, and in a small sports car that is jointly being developed with Toyota Motor Corp., scheduled to be introduced in Japan before the end of 2011. ( September 24, 2010)