Autoblog tears apart and looks around the guts of the new FB20 motor

The good guys at Autoblog got a look into the FB20 motor from the Euro Spec Forester. Now, it’s nothing high performance but it is the 3rd incarnation of the Subaru Boxer motor which hasn’t changed in some time. This is quite rare in the automotive world.

Subaru’s new FB20 motor is a little leap from the past EJ20 flat four boxer motor. Better power, fuel economy, and torque. Now, remember this is the non turbo motor so power improvements will be minimal. A lot of the improvement is done without the aid of direct injection which to some, is a bit of disappointment. The mild improvements include an interesting “bent rod” design to allow removal without block removal.

The whole block and head has been redesigned for fuel efficiency and also provide better power from the compact 2.0 design. The pistons went from an oversquare design to a undersquare design.

Low end torque and mid range power has been improved with the new design.  Autoblog had the chance to drive a Forester with this new FB20 Motor:

The Forester we drove was still in need of some decent revs to get around briskly. Its full 148 horsepower hits at a fairly average 6,000 rpm, and torque (146 pound-feet) doesn’t peak until 4,200 rpm.

Now what we want to know is what will come of the current turbo motors? Will they implement the new engineering technologies onto them? What about the STi model? Only time will tell…

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Forester XTI is released in Australia… North America says “What about us?”

So the Forester XTI made its official debut in Australia with the stout WRX powerplant. That means it has the 260hp and 256ft/lbs of torque. That’s pretty good and it goes through a paddle shifter automatic.

The interior has been upgraded with the signature STi blue highlights that are alcantara and leather. It’s a great interior.

This great Forester features not only the heart of a WRX but also performance upgrades including light weight STi wheels, little aero bits, and sportier STi suspension. I think this is an option for me when my future wife forces me to chose between a crossover SUV and a Mini Van… if Subaru ever brings this bad boy to the States.

Subaru gives us a closer look at the new “FB25” Flat 4 motor

It’s been some time that our beloved EJ20/25 motor had been “replaced” by a new motor. Yes, the EJ series had many variants but this is the first time that another designated boxer motor took its place and that is the FB25 flat four motor.

The bore and stroke is different from the EJ series. The new longer stroke improves the fuel economy of the FB25 Motor which is what Subaru has been aiming for since they are moving towards “green” campaigns.

Subaru goes in depth with the motor:

Despite the longer stroke, engineers were able to maintain the dimensions of the EJ engine with revisions to connecting rods and valvetrain components. Maintaining engine width was a concern in designing the FB power plant. The new engine was required to fit in the same-sized engine bay as its predecessor.

The change in the combustion chamber’s displacement and surface area helps to reduce engine knock.

One of the most noticeable changes from the EJ to the FB is that the cylinder heads rather than the intake manifold. According to Subaru it improves the fuel economy and reduces emissions.

As for the Cylinder Head itself this is what Subaru has said:

The cylinder heads and the camshaft carriers consist of separate pieces instead of one metal casting. That allows a reduction in metal thickness, simplification of the engine’s structure, and reduction in weight.

Revisions to the valvetrain include the use of roller rocker arms instead of lifters to actuate valves. These components and their layout contribute to reducing the width of the cylinder heads and overall engine width.

The FB Intake System has changed with a new intake manifold without a large intake plenum and smoother runners.

The exhaust system has also been revised with a different design from before. The runners before going into the cat have been separated to improve the warm up of the catalytic converter and again reducing emissions.

If you want to read more about this new motor will is featured in the non turbo Forester and the up coming FT86 coupe, check it out on Subaru’s Drive Webpage!

Autoblog reviews the 2011 Forester and they have lukewarm feelings

Autoblog, probably one of the best sources on the web for auto news has reviewed the 2011 Subaru Forester.

Here are some bits from their review:

But at first blush, the new heir to the Pleiades throne looks to be little more than a carbon copy of its predecessor. Horsepower, torque and fuel economy figures are all within a shave of the old engine’s numbers, and while the company’s competitors are investing heavily in direct-injection systems, Subaru passed on this tech all together. Where was the improvement? Judging by the specs alone, we had to wonder why Subaru went through the trouble of building an entirely new facility just to produce what looked to be the same old beating heart we’d known and loved for years. We jumped behind the wheel of the 2011 Forester to find out just what had changed beneath the hood of its all-wheel-drive family hauler.

Of course, all of that could easily be said about the 2010 model. The real difference here lurks under the hood. Despite the deceptively similar numbers compared to last year’s model, the 2011 Forester uses an engine that’s considerably more advanced than its predecessor. The old engine’s belt-driven, single-overhead cam design has been replaced with a chain-driven dual-overhead cam setup for better efficiency. The change helped net the engine an extra one mpg in the city on the EPA’s cycle. Additionally, the four-cylinder uses a marginally larger bore and longer stroke, tweaking displacement from 2,457cc to 2,498cc and helping to deliver an extra four pound-feet of torque 300 rpm sooner than the old 2.5-liter engine.

Otherwise, miraculously little has changed from last year’s model to 2011. The Forester still provides hilariously excellent driving dynamics given its lofty ride height thanks to a pile of DNA borrowed from the lovable WRX. Compared to metal like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV-4, the Forester is a grin-maker through any series of twists. Just make sure the groceries are tied down in the rear.

Seems like Autoblog wants to love it, but they only like it because they were expecting more of a change which I can understand. I’m hoping to see more out of the Forester in the near future and maybe go back to their roots as a larger wagon rather than a cross-over.

Source: Autoblog

Freeze Frame: Fozzy, meet Hachi…

Sometimes there are photos that are just plain amazing / awesome / cool and I think this one takes it. Our friends from Speedhunters posted this pictures of one of their reader’s Forester towing his track Toyota Corolla.

Subaru named by Kelly Blue Book as the best Retail Brand!

Need I say more? Check out this press release by Subaru of America:

-Subaru Outback also named Top 10 Best Resale Model –

Cherry Hill, N.J., November 16, 2010, Kelley Blue Book www.kbb.com, the leading provider of new and used vehicle information, has announced that Subaru has been awarded 2011 Best Retail Brand and the Subaru Outback has also been named a Top 10 Best Resale Model at the Kelley Blue Book’s Best Resale Value Awards.

The Best Resale Value Awards recognizes current and forthcoming vehicles for their projected retained value five years from now.  Since depreciation (or loss of value) is typically a car-buyer’s primary expense during ownership, these awards, like all of kbb.com’s new- and used-vehicle information, are designed to help consumers make more informed car-buying decisions.

Subaru of America COO, Tom Doll said: “These awards are a testament to the inherent value in Subaru vehicles, value that stems from our class-leading safety, reliability and durability.  Purchasing a Subaru has long been a wise choice for consumers and these awards reinforce that decision. ”

Kelley Blue Book’s Best Resale Value Awards are based on projections from the Kelley Blue Book® Official Residual Value Guide, determined by an expert staff of automotive analysts.  These prestigious awards honor vehicles expected to maintain the greatest proportion of their original list price after five years of ownership.  Low-volume vehicles and vehicles with a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price of more than $60,000 are excluded from award consideration, except in the luxury and high-performance categories.

For more information about Kelley Blue Book’s Best Resale Value Awards, please visit

http://www.kbb.com/car-news/all-the-latest/2011-best-resale-value-awards.

About Kelley Blue Book (www.kbb.com)

Since 1926, Kelley Blue Book, The Trusted Resource®, has provided vehicle buyers and sellers with the new- and used-vehicle information they need to accomplish their goals with confidence.  The company’s top-rated website,www.kbb.com, provides the most up-to-date pricing and values, including the Fair Purchase Price, which reports what smart buyers are paying for new cars.  The company also reports vehicle pricing and values via products and services, including software products and the famous Blue Book® Official Guide.  According to the C.A. Walker Research Solutions, Inc. – 2009 Spring Automotive Website Usefulness Study, kbb.com is the most useful automotive information website among new- and used-vehicle shoppers, and half of online vehicle shoppers visit kbb.com.  Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com also is a W3 Silver Award winner, sanctioned by the International Academy of Visual Arts.  Kbb.com is a leading provider of new car prices, used car values, car reviews, new cars for sale, used cars for sale, and car dealer locations.

About Subaru of America, Inc.

Subaru of America, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. of Japan. Headquartered in Cherry Hill, N.J., the company markets and distributes Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive vehicles, parts and accessories through a network of more than 600 dealers across the United States.  Subaru boasts the most fuel efficient line-up of all-wheel drive products sold in the market today based on Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) fuel economy standards.  All Subaru products are manufactured in zero- landfill production plants and Subaru of Indiana Automotive Inc. is the only U.S. automobile production plant to be designated a backyard wildlife habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. For additional information visit www.subaru.com.

 

The 2011 Subaru Forester’s official debut!

The new 2011 Subaru Forester is out on the web with additional information including the solid 2.5 Turbo power plant in the XT trim with many new features including Blue Tooth hands free calling, one touch windows, 6 speaker system, and iPod connectivity. Here’s the official word on the new features:

Subaru What’s New for 2011

Forester®
* All-new engine for Forester 2.5X models (turbocharged 2.5XT retains current engine); new bore/stroke dimensions with slightly longer stroke; displacement slightly larger (2,498 cc vs. 2,457 cc); chain driven double overhead cam vs. belt driven single overhead cam before; 170 horsepower is same as before, at slightly lower rpm; torque is up to 174 lb.-ft. at 4,100 rpm (vs. 170 @ 4,400 rpm); fuel economy is improved: 2011 manual and automatic transmissions — 21 mpg city / 27 mpg highway vs. 2010 20/27 for manual and 20/26 for automatic.
* New 2.5X Touring positioned above Limited: features HID headlights (low beam) with automatic height adjustment; display audio system with backup camera; dual zone automatic climate control; silver finish roof rails; electroluminescent gauges, and side mirrors with integrated turn signals.
* 2.5XT models now include 2.5XT Premium and 2.5XT Touring, the latter replacing 2.5XT Limited as top Forester model.
* 2.5XT Premium gets new 10-way power driver’s seat.
* Bluetooth® standard on all but base model.
* Backup camera standard on 2.5X Touring and 2.5XT Touring as part of new audio system.
* New standard audio system for 2.5X Premium and 2.5XT Premium: AM/FM stereo with single-disc CD player and six speakers; 3.5mm auxiliary input jack; Bluetooth® hands free calling and audio streaming; iPod control capability; USB port and Sirius Satellite Radio capability.
* New optional TomTom Navigation System for 2.5X Premium includes removable 4.3-inch touch-screen portable navigation device; AM/FM stereo with single-disc CD/DVD player and six speakers; 3.5mm auxiliary input jack; Bluetooth hands free calling; iPod control capability and USB port. Also, a backup camera is available as an accessory with this system.
* New audio system with rear camera for 2.5X Limited and Touring and 2.5XT Touring models: AM/FM stereo with single-disc CD/DVD player and six speakers; 4.3-inch display screen, Radio Broadcast Data System; 3.5mm auxiliary input jack; Bluetooth hands free calling and audio streaming; iPod control capability; USB port and Sirius Satellite Radio capability. (The backup camera is standard on 2.5X Touring and 2.5XT Touring and available as an accessory for 2.5X Limited.)
* Driver’s auto up/down window with pinch protection (except base model).
* New 17-inch alloy wheel design for 2.5X Premium.
* New body-color roof spoiler on 2.5XT models

Subaru Forester S-Edition concept to make a Debut at Sydney Motor Show

A few weeks ago, we talked about a rumored “Beefed Up Forester” being developed in Australia to fill out the “STi need” for the Forester. Well, apparently those rumors are true, to an extent.

Essentially have taken a Forester XT and spruced up the numbers to 259hp and 256 ft./lbs. of torque. Respectable numbers considering what the Forester exterior shows. Additionally the transmission is only a 5 speed automatic (groans from our readers) with paddle shifters, 17 inch STi wheels, and special interior.

Although it’s a bit on the tame side considering what STi means, this is the step in the right direction and we hope that Subaru of America sees that there is a viable need for a sporty crossover!

 

Surprise, Surprise… Subaru with Best September Sales EVER!

Better clear out the station because the Subaru Train is rolling through on full momentum. According to Subaru of America, Subaru auto sales have hit the record amounts in the month of September. Leading sales is the Outback!

CHERRY HILL, N.J., Oct. 1 — Subaru of America, Inc. announced today that it posted its best-ever September sales results. This also marks the best-ever September sales for the Subaru Outback and Forester models.

Sales for the Subaru Outback for the month of September were up 91-percent with 8,154 units sold, while sales for Subaru Foresterwere up 33-percent with 6,449 units sold.

“September’s record results reflect that demand for Subaru products continues to outpace supply despite the uncertain economy,” saidTimothy M. Colbeck, senior vice president of sales, Subaru of America, Inc. “We have been increasing shipments to dealers, but they continue to sell everything we send them.”

		Sep-10	Sep-09	% chg	Sept.-10 YTD	Sept.-09 YTD	% chg.
Legacy		2,999	2,762	9%	28,165	21,298	32%
Outback		8,154	4,268	91%	66,384	34,023	95%
Impreza		3,678	2,366	55%	33,055	37,360	-12%
Forester		6,449	4,839	33%	64,121	60,441	6%
Tribeca		152	358	-58%	1,889	5,299	-64%
Total		21,432	14,593	47%	193,614	158,421	22%

“Our sales reflect that Subaru products represent the best all-around package in the marketplace,” said Thomas J. Doll, executive vice president and COO, Subaru of America, Inc. “As we currently have the lowest incentives in the industry and continue breaking sales records, we know that customers have done their homework and recognize that Subaru products offer them the utility and capability that All-Wheel Drive provides as well as the long-term value they are looking for,” Doll added.

About Subaru of America, Inc.

Subaru of America, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. of Japan. Headquartered in Cherry Hill, N.J., the company markets and distributes Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive vehicles, parts and accessories through a network of more than 600 dealers across the United States.  All Subaru products are manufactured in zero-landfill production plants and Subaru ofIndiana Automotive Inc. is the only U.S. automobile production plant to be designated a backyard wildlife habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. For additional information visit http://www.subaru.com.

Third Gen Boxer motor from Subaru is now revealed

Though it’s not the turbo charged ones that you find in the performance models, it is quite interesting to see the updated boxer motor.

Two trim levels will be available including the 2.0 and 2.5. Just by the exterior you can see that they have done away with the plastic cam covers and the location of the oil fill and the dip stick have moved. Cam sensors are now exposed and it still retains AVCS. From the press release, it also retains the TGV for economy.

Check out the full details in the press release:

FHI Develops a New-generation Subaru Boxer Engine
New Horizontally-Opposed engine, providing superior combination of environmental friendliness and enjoyable driving

Tokyo, September 23, 2010 – Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. (FHI) has developed its new-generation boxer engine* that combines the technology and know-how used in Horizontally-Opposed Boxer engines, the core technology that has supported Subaru’s unique driving since it was first employed in the Subaru 1000 in 1966. This overall renewal is the first in 21 years, since the second generation boxer engine was introduced in the first Legacy models in 1989.

This new-generation Horizontally-Opposed 4 cylinder gasoline engine, the third generation Subaru boxer engine, showcases Subaru’s latest engineering research and development. It offers a new performance level by further refining Subaru’s unique expertise in Boxer engine technology. The engine was entirely renewed, starting from the basic structure, while all the advantages of the horizontally-opposed layout were maintained: lightweight, compact, low center of gravity, and superior vibration balance. New-generation improvements include advances in both environmental friendliness, such as an approximately 10% improvement in fuel efficiency, and driving performance for smooth acceleration in all speed ranges. Furthermore, FHI designed the new engine with consideration of the technology’s expandability and potential capability to receive further upgrades meeting future environmental measures.

FHI built a new factory at the Gunma Oizumi Plant exclusively for the production of this new-generation boxer engine. This new plant offers state-of-the-art production facilities that make full use of FHI’s engine manufacturing know-how developed to date, as well as a highly efficient production system delivering products meeting the highest quality standards.

Major Features of the New-generation Subaru Boxer engine
The overall structure of this engine has been totally renewed, by reviewing the bore and stroke for the basic structure to
allow a longer stroke than current engines. It is designed to achieve high efficiency in basic performance, allowing the
smooth and sporty rotational properties for which Horizontally-Opposed engines are known, while also making improvements in practical torque and environmental friendliness. This engine is available with 2,500 cc or 2,000 cc displacement, both with 4 cylinders. These models will now be positioned as our main engines.

The New-generation Subaru Boxer engine
・ The bore and stroke, the basic structure of this engine, have been reviewed to achieve a compact combustion chamber as well as a long stroke, which was difficult previously due to chassis mounting conditions in boxer gasoline engines. This allows high combustion efficiency, and generates a sufficient mid-low speed torque with improved fuel efficiency and practicality.
・ Improved fuel efficiency has been achieved through optimization of intake port configuration and the addition of partitions inside ports, the use of TGV (Tumble Generated Valve), and the use of an EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation) cooler.
・ AVCS (Active Valve Control System) is used on both intake and exhaust valves. For the intake side in particular, an intermediate lock system allows valve timing to be advanced or delayed for precise control over intake and exhaust valve timing, allowing maximum engine performance in output, fuel efficiency, and exhaust emission.
・ The use of lightweight primary moving parts, such as pistons and connecting rods, and a highly efficient and compact oil pump provides an approximately 30% reduction in friction loss and improves fuel efficiency and revolution response.
・ Cooling has been optimized by using separate engine cooling circuitry for the block and the head, resulting in improvements in fuel efficiency and output characteristics.

FHI is fully committed to develop new products on the theme of integrating enjoyable and reliable driving with environmentally friendly solutions. This same theme applies to this new-generation boxer engine, which will be
positioned as a main engine and the starting point of its future power unit strategy. Starting with the Forester, the new engine will be deployed in other Subaru products in the future.
* Boxer engine: Also known as a Horizontally-Opposed engine. In this design, the pistons are arranged symmetrically left and right along the crankshaft. When the pistons move, they resemble the punches thrown by boxers, thus resulting in this popular name.