Subaru’s Iconic Boxer Engine Just Turned 50
See that unassuming little saloon car above? It’s a Subaru 1000, and it went on sale on 14 May 1966. The reason why this is important? It was the first car from Fuji Heavy Industries to ever be powered by a horizontally-opposed engine, meaning the mighty Subaru boxer engine turns 50 this week.
Subaru itself jumped the gun by a few days by releasing a celebratory press release about the big birthday, but hey, we’d be keen to celebrate, too. Subaru says it’s sold 16 million cars with boxer engines over the last 50 years, during which time it’s gone from the humble 54bhp 1.0-litre in the 1000 to the 323bhp 2.5-litre version in the bonkers S207.
Sure, it’s maybe looking a little outdated and is not as efficient as its competitors, but we’ll always be fond of the burbly old so-and-so. Many happy returns, Subaru boxer.
Growing up on a diet of World Rally Championship highlights and lengthy Gran Turismo 2 sessions, a life in cars was as good as inevitable for Matt.
Comments
HAPPY BIRTHDAY! - From your biggest fan!
Thanks Subaru, making our lifes better with BRAPBRAP STUTU. Looking forward to the next 50 years
let us sing the subaru anthem BRAPBARPBRAPSTUTUTUTUTUTUTUTUUTUTUTBRAPBRAPBRAP
Happy birthday to this mad little 2.5 litre engine. Makes all the right noises and leaks like a b*tch but I still love it! Here’s to the hopeful next 50 years.
It started production on May 14th, my birthday, and I’m a Subaru fanboy. How did I not know this?!
Incoming butthurt for no reason
I love Subarus, but the boxer engine is just a rip off of an old Volkswagen Beetle’s air cooled engine, rather the boxer is water cooled.
Not much a rip off, they asked for permission to use the design and VW gave them the OK
Happy birthday to you honey. Just bought her new wheel.
Matt, the S207 has a handbuilt EJ20, not an EJ25
MATT, please research before posting. ITS a 2.0 litre, not a 2.5. Learn to subaru.