I really hope this makes the trip to America:

http://wardsautoworld.com/ar/auto_subarus_boxer_diesel/

Image on this page:

http://www.webwombat.com.au/motoring...sel-engine.htm

A bigger engine shot:

http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/30/s...-diesel-boxer/

 

Sounds like the making of my dream car. Too bad I'm going to wait until 3 years after the car is released to buy mine. I've got a Legacy that I have beat on harder than a truck and has 200,000 miles on it without any problems except a new clutch at 120,000.

 

In that engine configuration, wouldn't the different coefficients on the top and bottom of the cylinder walls and rings create an uneven wear pattern particularly the bottom walls? And therefore the possibility of more compression leakage sooner in the engine's life?

I recall reading that criticism about the durability of V-8 diesels -which are angled, and not "riding flat".

 

Great observation. I would think the extra force on the lower surfaces would be negligible compared to other forces going on. From personal experience the boxer engines in Subaru are durable hard working machines.

 

The difference in the weight of the piston is nothing compared to the force of the piston against the wall on the power stroke where the angle of the rod is forcing it to the side. So the difference between the wear because of the weight of the piston laying on its side in a flat design vs an in line should be nothing.

Wetspirit

 

I agree.....really won't make a differance.
I have a 2003 Legacy wagon...neat little car....Grrrrreat in the winter!
A diesel would be fun...but these new emission diesels are getting too complex.
I am sure they will have all the bugs worked out in a few years though.

 

Subaru motors have proven to be quite durable. I wish they would have kept the on demand four wheel drive system, though, instead of the current all wheel drive...

The GF's legacy gets pretty poor milage, and in the winter it seems to take a split second to transfer power from the wheel that slips... Locking the axles solidly into 4x4 I think would perform better, but I suppose there's a segment in the market that doesn't want to have to figure out when they want to figure out when to use 2wd and when to use 4wd...