The world's first horizontally-opposed turbodiesel engine - better known as the "boxer" format - will debut at next month's Geneva Motor Show.

It will be Subaru's first ever production oil-burner, and is desperately needed in Europe to complete with rivals who have been offering diesel for years. Boxer gas engines have always been a Subaru staple. They're more compact than in-line and vee units, providing a lower center of gravity and hopefully better handling through the corners.

Details of which of the current Subaru lineup will get the engine have yet to be revealed, but sources say the cars will arrive in showrooms in around 12 months.

Source: The Car Connection

 

These engines are nothing but a pain in the ass to work on

 

I don't mind them.

 

Subaru you make my head spin.

 

They've always been a little odd when it comes to engineering (and "design" ). h:

 

Kinda sucks that it's a PITA to get to your spark plugs.

 

actual experience, or talking out of your ass? They are no harder or easier to work on than any other cylinder arrangement.

it's not that bad at all.

 

More of a PITA than in my old Civic h:

 

Is it me or are Diesel prices still high? Would driving a diesel car actually save u money. I know the fuel economy is much better than regular gas, but would u save money?

Also are they now clean for the environment?

 

There are cleaner solutions for diesels now than there were just a few years ago. Daimler Chrysler has their urea-injection catalyst; Honda has a plasma-reduction catalyst that curb NOX and CO emissions.

As far as operating costs go, that depends on the real-world mileage and the price premium for diesel in your area. Down at my local gas station, they're charging 20˘/gal extra for diesel. Considering that most diesel passenger cars get somewhere between 25% - 30% better gas mileage, it still works out in the long run.

But as far as Subaru is concerned, this motor is destined for the European markets... so it's anyone's guess as to how it fares against petrol on a cost-per-mile basis. Displacement plays a big role in that calculation; my bet is that that the diesel boxer will be kept under 2 litres in displacement.