Boxer engines safe, but not forever

Subaru horizontally-opposed engines are safe in the near-term but future models may challenge the brand's perceived DNA Down Under. That's the verdict of Subaru Australia boss, Nick Senior.

The third-largest international market for Subaru, Australia is unusual in it maintains a four-wheel-drive boxer-engine drivetrain line-up across its range. With new models, alternative low-emission drivetrains (read: hybrid) and potentially new segment entries all in Subaru's brand future, this USP may be eroded.

"It's us and the USA that are most consistent to having a complete 100 per cent all-wheel symmetrical drivetrain story," Senior told the Carsales Network at last week's Impreza STI launch in Japan.

"There's front-wheel-drive cars in the Japanese domestic market… The [Japanese] mini cars do not use boxer engines. In Europe the Justy is a rebadged [Daihatsu] Sirion. So there are many markets in the world that aren't 100 per cent to that core [four-wheel-drive boxer-engine] strategy already," he explained.

"When you think forward about some of the challenges ahead in terms of hybrid technology and Subaru's aim to be number one in battery technology, for example, there are going to be changes ahead for the brand internationally about these core technologies.

"It's a debate we may have to have locally -- though not in the near future," Senior revealed.

"In the longer term we may have to sit down and say there are cars available being produced for global markets and if they do not have some of the core [Subaru] technologies, do we [Subaru Australia] want them as part of our line-up?

"That's going to be a difficult debate because we have a real market advantage with having a point of difference. But there may be cars -- probably hybrid and sub-Impreza -- that may challenge our core philosophy," he said.

Subaru recently confirmed it will push on with hybrid development in partnership with shareholder Toyota. In particular it is looking to launch hybrid products into the USA as soon as possible. Diesel engines remain a priority for Europe, however.

Senior said packaging a traditional Subaru horizontally-opposed 'boxer' engine and hybrid infrastructure could prove "problematic". Diesel on the other hand is just around the corner (see separate news story here).

Senior said Subaru Australia would not necessarily align its model line-up entirely with the USA or Europe, for that matter.

"We have a lot of autonomy and we're seen as a model for other distributors. When it comes to the time, we will make the decision for what is best for the brand in Australia.

"It's a discussion we're prepared to have," Senior said.

To comment on this article click here

Read Subaru MY08 WRX STI review here