Quote:
Originally Posted by Sasquachulator
And a boxer motor tends to not be as fuel efficient as your typical inline 4 as well, (like say a Corolla's 2,0L with 168hp, which does something like 31/40)
Even subaru's most fuel efficient boxer motor is its most weakest motor (2.5L 155hp) and does something like 28/36
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The 2.0L FB20 would be Subaru's most economy oriented engine at least for North America. The trouble is Subaru can't show off how fuel efficient it can be because every normal Subaru save the BRZ is AWD, so in essence the FB20 is somewhat handicapped. I genuinely don't think the boxer layout makes much of a difference as to how fuel efficient it is.
How much the automaker can invest in serious development is on the other hand what puts some engines well above others. The Toyota 2.0L Dynamic Force engine is actually astonishing in how much power it can put out while actually being eco focused. Its clear Toyota spent a lot of R&D to make this engine this substantial. Compare the FB20 in as close to equal terms with the rest of the 1.8L to 2.0Ls of its era(it launched in 2012) and it actually is pretty competitive even with the AWD penalty and if you wish to penalize the FB20 further its still efficient even with Subaru's ancient 5-speed.
Previously when Subaru had no Toyota partnership, they had only the EJ25 for effectively the whole lineup. I can definitely tell you that engine was not fuel efficient as it was an old design with none of the engine tech to get it anywhere its better funded competition. At that time buying a Subaru you acknowledged poor fuel economy vs. its competition so you could have the standard AWD.