How Does a Subaru Boxer Engine Work?
Because pistons fire horizontally, they act as counterweights, allowing the engine to run smoothly, without a significant amount of vibration. Boxers are also mounted shallow in the engine bay, which has allowed Subaru to position them more toward the front of the cars, increasing front-end traction. This allows for strategic placement of other engine parts.
The most unique feature of a Subaru Boxer engine is the way in which pistons move. Each piston is attached to the crank shaft with a union. From the union, pistons extend away from the motor. Each piston is connected to a cylinder. As the crankshaft rotates, each piston slides on a flat plane, which means they move "in and out," not "up and down." This stabilizes the engine as it runs and provides a more level center of gravity. The name "Boxer" was coined after the way in which pistons and cylinders resemble a boxer throwing punches during a fight.
Benefits
Boxer engines were first used by Subaru in the late 1960s. Through the decades, they have been come to be extremely lightweight and compact engines. Their design has allowed the company to champion their use on all-wheel and four-wheel drive motors. The boxer's low center of gravity is transferred to the rest of the car, resulting in better steering, cornering and overall handling.
