Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee! These were words to be feared if you were a boxer back in the days of Muhammad Ali. He said he was "the greatest before [he] ever knew [he] was" and in the Thrilla in Manilla Ali went on to beat Frazier in their third match to become the Heavyweight Boxing Champion of The World.
Subaru's story may be similar-- hell, they may have even had serious suits and battles to be won before they claimed the title as the heavyweight boxers of the automotive industry, but truthfully I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT HAPPENED! Sorry for killing the mood, but it's the truth, and honestly fighting is overrated, so I don't even care!
Subaru SVX from Philadelphia Auto Show 2012
The matter of the fact is that even though Subaru is the Heavyweight Champion of the Auto Industry in Boxing currently, there were previous challengers and even champions, dare I say-- George Foremans or opponents like "Smokin'" Joe Frazier if you will.
The engine was first made in 1896 by Karl Benz, the notable founder of Mercedes-Benz, and later gained popularity amongst other German companies such as BMW Motorcycles and Volkswagen before it was ever tinkered with by Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd.
DIS NIGGAAAAAA Source
Yet, even though Subaru was not the pioneer of the flat-four boxer engine (or the flat-six if you're more of a Tribeca guy) they have done an amazingly well job of engineering engines with low centers of gravity for performance and rally cars that stand up very well to high boost pressures and are even capable of running well in N/A applications!
Just look at their newest engine which was co-designed with Toyota. The engine is capable of an admirable 100 HP/L, producing 200 break horsepower and 151 lb-ft of torque, producing eight more lb-ft of torque than Honda's performance K-Series motor. Keep in mind the K-Series was supposed to be an extremely efficient design for its time, coming out in the early 2000's.
The aforementioned engine is known as the FA20 and was designed specifically for the BRZ/FR-S/GT-86 which is the Subaru/Toyota (Subaruyota?) sports car developed to satisfy the souls of yearning drivers everywhere. Sporting a shortened oil pan and intake manifold, it's no wonder this thing is so capable of lurking so deep within the depths of the new RWD LOLlercoaster from the two companies.
Under-exposed pic from the Philadelphia Auto Show of 2012
Yes, it seems that the D-4S hybrid port/direct injection, chain-driven camshaft havin', AVCS valve train phasin', all-natural motor has shocked us all. Subaru, cheers...you continue to amaze. FLOAT LIKE A BUTTERFLY, STING LIKE A BEE.
