Subaru Boxer Diesel revealed in Geneva

Subaru Diesel Boxer in Geneva 2008

Torquey. Very torquey

By Thami Masemola
March 6, 2008 12:14 PM
Filed Under: Geneva Motor Show, Japanese, Subaru

Subaru’s entry into the diesel market was marked at the 78th Geneva International Motor Show with the introduction of a 2.0-litre turbo diesel boxer engine. The engine, the world’s first production diesel boxer, is aimed squarely at the Euro market and will launch there first before elsewhere.

Applied directly to the Legacy / Outback range, the horizontally-opposed turbo diesel mates with Subaru’s symmetrical AWD system. Having first glanced at the power figure of 100kW at 3600rpm, I doubted Subaru had reached their goal this time around since similar-sized benchmark motors typically produce about 120kW. But the torque figure set things right, coming in at 350Nm from 1800rpm. That’s more like it. Anyway, diesel is more about torque than horses.

A variable nozzle turbo charger is the one to credit for that torque. Subaru are quite the experts when it comes to getting the best out of power spinners. Rarely though, has Subaru produced a vehicle capable of more than 500km on a tank. There is a first time for everything as they say.

Source: Subaru

Press Release (Click to expand)

FHI applied the world’s first Horizontally-Opposed Diesel Engine “Subaru Boxer Diesel” for passenger vehicles to the Subaru Legacy and the Outback. For the two models, the Subaru Boxer Diesel is mated with Subaru’s unique symmetrical AWD (All-Wheel-Drive) to achieve driving performance standards only Subaru is capable of. These standards include high-level stability and outstanding acceleration thanks to powerful low- and medium-speed torque.
On top of this, the two models adopt new electric power steering to achieve both improved fuel efficiency and fun to drive. They not only comply with the Euro 4 emission regulations, but realize top-level fuel economy for AWD passenger vehicles, thereby integrating driving performance into the environment.

The Subaru Boxer Diesel takes advantage of high rigidity of the horizontally opposed engine. It uses an aluminum-alloy cylinder block. With its engine width equivalent to that of a horizontally opposed petrol engine of the same displacement volume, it is 61.3-mm shorter in length, achieving top-level lightweight and compact design of the class.
Its unique layout allows the right and left pistons to negate each other’s inertia. This translates into smooth rotational balance, low vibration and superior quietness. Furthermore, thanks to excellent accelerator response, and with reduced friction and inertia resulting in smooth acceleration, the Subaru Boxer Diesel features engine characteristics worth the name of a sport diesel.

[Subaru Boxer Diesel: Main specifications]

- Engine type: Horizontally opposed 4-cylinder DOHC 16-valve turbo diesel
- Displacement: 1998 cc
- Maximum output: 110 kW (150 PS)/3600 rpm
- Maximum torque: 350 Nm (35.7 kgf•m)/1800 rpm
- CO2 emissions: 148 g/km (Legacy sedan)
- Fuel injection system: Common rail type
- Turbo type: Variable nozzle turbocharger