Subaru's new 2.0-liter boxer: It's better, but does it matter?

Subaru recently invited us to Budapest to get the European-spec 2011 Forester, who was already ... Well, exactly what one would expect (it was fine), but that's not the point here. Importance of the brand new "FB" is engine under the hood - the third generation of Subaru Boxer design - the same device that we will see in the next Impreza. This is essentially a large-down version of our 2.5-liter mill Forester's, when the second generation Impreza EJ25 engine in the current meet. Got it? Good. Let's get our hands dirty ... The new FB20 engine is a small step forward from the EJ20 predecessor, with better performance, emissions and economy (Subaru estimates that mpg is around 10 percent). Americans have to take our word for this improvement, though, as it been years since we had a two-liter turbo Subaru-san did. The motor pulls the slight improvement without the help of direct injection - the absence of which is disappointing. GDI is only ... what do you do when you build a new engine in those days. Subaru has compact outside the box with some other aspects, however, including the design, redesigned combustion chambers, think, chain-driven camshafts and fascinating, "bent" connecting rods - the latter allows the installation and maintenance without separation of the proudest block.One points when discussing the new Subaru engine is to increase the piston stroke without increasing the dimensions of the boxer, especially thanks to a modified valve train and transformed block and head. In fact, the pistons changed quite significantly from the square to EJ (92 x 75mm) to a new long-stroke layout of 84 x 90mm. This change makes the engine low-end grunt, and achieve a stroke increase, without any further extension of the boxer engine is impressive. We are still a little confused as to why this feat matters, though, since all the current applications are already offering a larger 2.5-liter that fits just fine. While the new, more efficient unit was designed with an emphasis on improved low-and mid-range power delivery, we drove the Forester was still need some decent speeds circumvent research. Its full 148 hp meets a pretty average 6,000 rpm, and torque (146 pound-feet) is not up to 4,200 rpm peak. Combined with a fairly long gears and transmissions underwhelming (a four-speed automatic in 2011, really?), The acceleration is not exactly overwhelming. But then again, who cares? You will not in anyway to purchase the motor in a Forester.
So there we have it, Subaru Boxer new four - an interesting, somewhat old-school engine, which is technically better than the outgoing version. But it is not asked in a way, the answer to the question no one? While we are inclined to say much more could be done here, we shall have to see how the new entry-level engine itself handles the Impreza before locking a comment.